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.

AMSA officer looking up at Macquarie light inside the lighthouse

Macquarie's shining light

Published 12/11/2018

The light of the Macquarie lighthouse can shine 48 kilometres out to sea—more than the distance of a marathon.

Macquarie Lighthouse 200th anniversary

Published 01/11/2018

Macquarie Lighthouse in Sydney celebrates its 200th birthday this year. Macquarie was Australia’s first lighthouse and was first lit on 30 November 1818.

Ghost nets

Published 30/10/2018

Abandoned, lost or discarded equipment—fishing nets, ropes, lines and tackle—go on ‘ghost fishing’ for many years.

October edition of AMSA update

Published 25/10/2018

Have you read our latest newsletter?

Our Chief Operating Officer, the Indian Secretary of defence and other members standing around a navigation table

Indian Secretary of Defence visits the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre

Published 16/10/2018

AMSA welcomed Mr Sanjay Mitra, Secretary of Defence of India to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.

Fishing trawler in the middle of the ocean

Getting out of a hook-up situation

Published 12/10/2018

Knowing what to do can save lives.

Recreational use of your domestic commercial vessel

Published 04/10/2018

Using your vessel for recreational purposes just got easier. Approval is no longer required for domestic commercial vessels to operate recreationally under Exemption 04. Important limitations and conditions still apply on recreational use.

Wecome to Australia - Protecting our marine environment

Welcome to Australia video is now available

Published 04/10/2018

Australia implements a range of standards and regulations to protect the marine environment from pollution.

World Maritime Day 2018

Published 27/09/2018

Today, September 27, is World Maritime Day and this year’s theme is IMO 70: Our Heritage—Better Shipping for a Better Future.

Latest edition of AMSA update

Published 26/09/2018

Have you read our latest newsletter?

Unique identifiers for human-powered and small sail vessels

Published 25/09/2018

Exemption 1 means that owners of human-powered and sailing vessels less than 7.5 metres can be exempt from having to get a unique identifier for each vessel.

Blessing of the Fleet at Sydney Fish Market

Published 25/09/2018

Celebrating one of the oldest traditions amongst fishing communities in the world.

Domestic seafarer on a boat facing towards another white domestic vessel in the distance

Safe access to moored domestic commercial vessels

Published 21/09/2018

A large number of workplace injuries happen while people are getting on and off a vessel.

2018 Australian Search and Rescue Awards

Published 14/09/2018

Every year the National Search and Rescue Council presents the Australian Search and Rescue Awards in recognition of 'Outstanding contribution to Search and Rescue' within the Australian region.

Container buckled in the middle under other containers

Dangerous, hazardous and harmful cargoes handbook now available

Published 13/09/2018

The latest version of the dangerous, hazardous and harmful cargoes handbook is now available.

Latest Maritime Safety Awareness Bulletin is available

Published 11/09/2018

Issue 8 of the Maritime Safety Awareness Bulletin sheds light on marine incident reporting and the important role it plays in shaping maritime safety.

Release of AMSA Compliance Strategy 2023-27

Published 31/01/2023

As evidence of its commitment to transparency and collaboration with industry, the Australian...

Have your say on managing the risk of fatigue

Published 18/07/2019

Are you concerned about fatigue while working at sea?

People in maritime—Dr Kirsten Abernethy

Published 18/07/2019

We have published another article in our series of people in maritime.

e-Navigation Underway 2019 Asia-Pacific—an annual regional conference

Published 17/07/2019

The 2019 e-navigation Underway Asia-Pacific Conference is being held from 2-3 September 2019

24 seafarers rescued off the coast of Western Australia

Published 16/07/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has coordinated the successful rescue of 24...

Shipping plan aims to deliver improved marine protection

Published 15/07/2019

AMSA has released the 2019 Review of the North-East Shipping Management Plan (NESMP) to enhance the...

Reduce your impact on the marine environment

Published 15/07/2019

The marine environment is a precious natural asset.

Grand dame celebrates 160 years

Published 15/07/2019

Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse, one of Australia’s magnificent heritage light stations still in...

Catamaran capsize off the Newcastle coast

Published 11/07/2019

AMSA has completed search and rescue operations following the capsize of a catamaran in rough seas...

Australian Autonomous Vessel Forum 2019

Published 10/07/2019

We want to talk to people about the regulation of autonomous and remotely operated vessels, and...

Our new Diversity and inclusion plan 2019–22

Published 08/07/2019

Our new Diversity and inclusion plan 2019–22 outlines our commitment to increase workforce...

People in maritime

Published 04/07/2019

We’re rolling out stories from people who are making a difference at our new People in maritime...

Cargo ship heading away towards the middle of the ocean

World Marine AtoN Day (1 July) shines light on future of Australia’s navigation services

Published 01/07/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is using World Marine Aids to Navigation (AtoN) Day...

Shining a light on modern AtoNs

Published 01/07/2019

Long before Australia’s earliest lighthouse was built at Vaucluse, NSW in 1818, European mariners...

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...