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.

Domestic vessel on a a lake facing towards you

Existing vessels transitioning to modern safety equipment standards

Published 20/12/2017

From 1 January 2018 owners of Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 domestic commercial vessels that are ‘existing vessels’ will start upgrading to contemporary safety equipment standards, as outlined in the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV).

Changes to machinery and fire safety standards

Published 20/12/2017

Machinery standards are changing to assist owners of new commercial vessels and those vessels undertaking significant modifications to be consistent with the national system standard. Fire safety standards are also changing so commercial vessels are consistent with current safety standards.

Crewing requirements for grandfathered passenger vessels

Published 20/12/2017

Exemption 28 has been extended from 1 January 2018 until 30 June 2018.

James Clement, Chief Operating Officer Mareterram Limited

Safety culture aboard trawlers

Published 20/12/2017

James Clement, Chief Operating Officer of Mareterram Limited, operates 10 prawn trawlers out of Carnarvon in Western Australia.

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

Proposed subsidised cost recovery levy for the national system

Published 19/12/2017

The proposed levy model for the next five years is now available.

A left hand holds an iPad 2 with the beacon registration website on it; a right hand holds a GME beacon

Help us help you

Published 13/12/2017

Are you heading into the great outdoors this summer?

Funding for national system transition

Published 06/12/2017

Australia’s Transport Ministers have agreed to provide more than $100 million to support industry’s transition to new service arrangements under the National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety.

Our new website

Published 06/12/2017

We’ve redeveloped our website to make it easier for you to find the information you need.

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Published 06/12/2017

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AMSA attendees at International Maritime Organization council

Australia elected to Category B of International Maritime Organization Council

Published 04/12/2017

Australia has successfully been elected to Category B of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Outcomes from 71st session of Marine Environment Protection Committee

Published 31/07/2017

Reducing potentially harmful emissions from ships and preventing the spread of invasive species through ballast water management were hot topics at the 71st session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) which was held in London in early July. AMSA’s General Manager of Response Toby Stone led Australia’s delegation at the session.

Maritime Casualty Officers workshop participants on board the MV Attikos

Maritime Casualty Officers workshop and training

Published 27/04/2017

AMSA Response hosted a Maritime Casualty Officers (MCO) workshop and training sessions in NSW between 28 February and 3 March.

Certificate of competency exemptions extended to 2020

Published 12/01/2017

Twenty-two general exemptions relating to certificates of competency under the national system have been extended until 30 June 2020, to give industry more certainty as we transition to full service delivery.

AMSA celebrates World Maritime Day 2016

Published 29/09/2016

On Thursday 29 September 2016 the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is celebrating World Maritime Day.

National Plan exercise conducted in Port Macquarie

Published 20/09/2016

On 6 September 2016 the AMSA and Fire and Rescue New South Wales Hazardous and Noxious Substance Reconnaissance Team (HRT) conducted an operational exercise in Port Macquarie.

Updated marine orders come into effect on 1 January 2017

Published 20/09/2016

Updated Marine Order 32 (Cargo handling equipment) and Marine Order 34 (Solid bulk cargoes).

Rottnest Island Lighthouse shines bright on World AtoN Day

Published 29/06/2022

Rottnest Island’s iconic and much-loved lighthouse is in the spotlight today to celebrate World...

Marine safety technology tracks spawning coral slicks

Published 02/01/2019

Marine science and safety shared a birds-eye view of a natural phenomenon on the Great Barrier Reef...

MV Jawan released from detention for repair voyage

Published 20/12/2018

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) released the livestock vessel MV Jawan from...

New marine notices

Published 20/12/2018

We have issued two marine notices this week. They concern limiting sulphur emissions in Sydney...

Group of people standing on the steps outside a building

Working Boats magazine issue 14 is now available

Published 18/12/2018

Driving positive change.

Phone scam alert

Published 13/12/2018

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

AMSA services over the Christmas holiday break

Published 12/12/2018

AMSA offices are closed during the period Tuesday 25 December 2018 to Tuesday 1 January 2019...

Have your say—alternatives to carrying a float-free EPIRB, for vessels less than 7.5 metres

Published 12/12/2018

We are seeking your feedback on alternative options to carrying a float-free EPIRB on domestic...

Tell us what you think—electrical safety on board your vessel

Published 12/12/2018

To improve electrical safety on board, we are proposing a simplified set of standards to meet...

MV Jawan’s Australian Certificate for the Carriage of Livestock revoked

Published 10/12/2018

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has revoked the Australian Certificate for the...

April incidents

Published 04/12/2018

53 incidents have been reported during the month of April—seven were serious.

Chemicals on board your boat

Published 04/12/2018

Beware of chemicals on board your boat... protect the marine environment.

Warning—third party businesses offering assistance with AMSA business services

Published 28/11/2018

AMSA is aware that third party businesses are advertising services relating to Australian ship...

Australia's lighthouse network

Published 22/11/2018

We are responsible for maintaining lighthouses and other aids to navigation at 388 sites around the...

Reduce your impact on the marine environment

Published 19/11/2018

Oil is toxic to marine life. It smothers wildlife and damages habitats such as mangroves,...

Seacare Authority mental health workshop

Published 15/11/2018

The Seacare Authority will be holding a mental health workshop in Perth, on 20 November 2018.

The Dunbar shipwreck near Macquarie Lighthouse

Published 14/11/2018

The most infamous shipwreck near Macquarie Lighthouse was the clipper Dunbar.