News and media releases

Discover the latest developments and news updates from AMSA.

For media releases, please see the new AMSA Media Centre.

Melbourne yacht crew wins National Search and Rescue Award

Published 17/10/2012

The crew of a Melbourne yacht who risked their lives to rescue survivors from a sunken competitor during an open water race off Melbourne in April has been awarded the Australian Search and Rescue Award for 2012.

Search and rescue for solo yachtsman continues

Published 17/10/2012

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) continues to coordinate the search and rescue for a solo yachtsman who activated an emergency beacon yesterday morning approximately 270 nautical miles east of Sydney.

Search and rescue awards to recognise extraordinary Australians

Published 16/10/2012

Fishermen, sailors and surf lifesavers are among those to be recognised for their contributions to search and rescue at the Australian Search and Rescue Awards in Melbourne tomorrow evening (17 October).

AMSA enlists international airlines to assist in search and rescue

Published 16/10/2012

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) requested two international commercial aircraft to assist in a search and rescue operation today.

AMSA prepares for a year of reform

Published 02/10/2012

Maritime legislation passed by the Australian Parliament this year will dramatically change the Australian maritime regulatory landscape in 2013.

Full scale aerial search to resume for missing aircraft in south east Queensland

Published 02/10/2012

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia) is coordinating a search for a missing aircraft in south east Queensland.

Search continues overnight for missing aircraft in south east Queensland

Published 01/10/2012

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia) is coordinating a search for a missing aircraft in south east Queensland.

Public consultation on draft regulations & marine orders under the National Law

Published 20/09/2012

Draft regulations and Marine Orders under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 (National Law) are now available for public comment

Joint media release: Marine environment training workshop held for Pacific Island nations

Published 24/08/2012

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) jointly hosted a workshop in Townsville, Australia from 21 to 23 August 2012 with the aim of increasing protection of marine environments in the Pacific region.

Natship12 continues in Melbourne

Published 08/08/2012

National Shipping Industry Conference begins today

Published 06/08/2012

Australia’s seventh National Shipping Industry Conference, Natship12, will be held this week in Melbourne, with attendance by 200 industry leaders, policy makers, mariners and international experts.

Search ends for man overboard

Published 09/07/2012

AMSA’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia) has been conducting a search for a crew member lost overboard from a bulk carrier off northern New South Wales.

Search and rescue effort continues

Published 22/06/2012

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority will continue the search and rescue effort on Friday afternoon and into the evening, following the recovery of 110 survivors from a capsized vessel 120 nautical miles south of Java, Indonesia.

Search and rescue effort continues

Published 21/06/2012

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority will continue the search and rescue effort throughout the night, following the recovery of 110 survivors from a capsized vessel 120 nautical miles south of Java, Indonesia.

AMSA locates missing aircraft

Published 30/05/2012

AMSA’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia) has been conducting a search for a light aircraft overdue on a flight in the Wentworth / Mildura area.

AMSA seeks public assistance in search for missing aircraft

Published 30/05/2012

AMSA’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia) is coordinating a search for an overdue light aircraft in the Wentworth, NSW—Mildura, VIC area.

People looking out from the shore at Port Moresby and a containment boom

AMSA update June edition

Published 01/07/2019

Catch up on maritime news this month.

SMS Workshops—Bermagui location now open for registrations

Published 27/06/2019

Register now for Bermagui or for future workshops in your region.

lighthouse and aid to navigation pictured against the sky

Visit a lighthouse on World AtoN Day

Published 24/06/2019

Lighthouse enthusiasts can mark World AtoN Day by paying a visit or touring a spectacular historic lighthouse this weekend.

Outcomes of consultation on short term marina accommodation (Exemption 27)

Published 20/06/2019

Outcomes of consultation on short term marina accommodation.

Exercise Torres 2018 cleans up

Published 19/06/2019

Australia is home to some of the world’s most sensitive marine areas—the Coral Sea, Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait.

Ship in the middle of the ocean in front of a sunset with smoke billowing out

Beat air pollution on World Environment Day

Published 04/06/2019

Did you know that a reduction in the sulphur content of ship fuel will prevent 570,000 premature deaths worldwide from 2020-2025?

Survey on electronic chart systems now open

Published 31/05/2019

Have you used Electronic Charting Systems for vessel navigation?

AMSA Update May edition

Published 31/05/2019

Find out what’s been happening at AMSA this month.

Call for beacon collection and disposal opportunities

Published 23/05/2019

We are seeking businesses to contribute to a national service for distress beacon collection and disposal.

Coastal volunteers making a world of difference

Published 23/05/2019

As the world’s biggest island nation, Australia is custodian of 60,000 kilometres of magnificent coastline.

Volunteer rescuers making a world of difference

Published 23/05/2019

When AMSA receives a distress call we look to see what assets are best placed to respond quickly.

SMS Workshops—making your SMS work for you

Published 20/05/2019

For owners, operators and crew of domestic commercial vessels who want to improve and build on their safety management system.

Stay alert for phone scams

Published 20/05/2019

If you receive an automated call pretending to be from AMSA—it is a scam. We do not use automated calling.

Nominate for the 2019 Australian Search and Rescue Awards

Published 16/05/2019

Andrew Self is no stranger to displaying courage and bravery by risking his own life to save others.

AMSA attends 20th APHoMSA and Korea Maritime Week 2019

Published 03/05/2019

The 20th session of the Asia-Pacific Heads of Maritime Safety Agencies (APHoMSA) forum was held in Seoul, Republic of Korea from 14–17 April 2019.

Working boats issue 15 is now available

Published 30/04/2019

Safety, sustainability and environment.

Have your say on changes to Marine Order 27

Published 04/09/2023

Have your say on proposed changes to Marine Order 27 – relating to safety of navigation and...

AMSA’s Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) service

Published 29/11/2019

On 1 July 2020, AMSA will discontinue its Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) service.

Fishing boat on the ocean in front of sunset

October incident report

Published 28/11/2019

The October incident report has been published.

Warning—unauthorised certification services on behalf of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica

Published 26/11/2019

We have become aware that an Australian-based individual is offering unauthorised registration and...

Have your say on lighthouse heritage management

Published 26/11/2019

We have many wonderful lighthouses in Australia and our role at AMSA is to make sure they are...

Queensland dory safety workshops come to Cairns

Published 19/11/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is hosting free safety workshops in Queensland next...

Queensland dory safety workshops come to Cooktown

Published 19/11/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is hosting free safety workshops in Queensland next...

Queensland dory safety workshops come to Gladstone

Published 19/11/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is hosting free safety workshops in Queensland next...

Queensland dory safety workshops come to Mackay

Published 19/11/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is hosting free safety workshops in Queensland next...

Queensland dory safety workshops come to Bowen

Published 19/11/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is hosting free safety workshops in Queensland next...

AMSA joins forces with Queensland to improve safety for dory fishing operations

Published 14/11/2019

Authorities are joining forces to improve commercial line fishing operations that use tenders, or...

Where’s your tender—it’s your responsibility to stay in touch!

Published 13/11/2019

It is the responsibility of the parent vessel to know where their dories or tenders are at all...

International mariners learning the ropes

Published 07/11/2019

Maritime agencies from the Asia Pacific and Indian Oceania regions joined AMSA for a two-week...

Search and rescue incidents 2018-19

Published 04/11/2019

Our search and rescue centre responds to search and rescue incidents throughout Australia.

Working Boats issue 17—Women in maritime—is now available

Published 24/10/2019

The October 2019 edition showcases women working in different roles across the maritime industry,...

Image of Hon. George Brandis QC and the Secretary General of the IMO, Mr Kitack with donation for IMO Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme

Australia donates $30,000 to the IMO Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme

Published 18/10/2019

Australia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, the Hon. George Brandis QC, has presented a...

Image of domestic commercial vessel dory/tender operations

Spotlight on dory boat safety

Published 18/10/2019

Queensland dory operators are invited to attend free safety management workshops in Cooktown,...