News and media releases

Print

Discover the latest developments and news updates from AMSA.

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

Media Release

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.

Read More

Media Release

AMSA assisting bulk carrier in Coral Sea

Published 19/05/2012

Read More

Media Release

Industry eagerly awaiting domestic maritime reforms

Published 17/05/2012

Australia’s domestic commercial vessel industry is eagerly awaiting maritime reforms to be introduced in January 2013 following the completion of nation-wide community consultation on the proposed National System for Commercial Vessel Safety.

Read More

Media Release

Ship prosecuted for dumping food waste in marine park

Published 10/05/2012

In the Townsville Magistrates Court on 30 April 2012 the Master and owners of the Antigua & Barbuda registered bulk carrier Pantanal each pleaded guilty to illegally dumping food waste in a prohibited discharge area of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Read More

Media Release

Australian government steps in to remove Christmas Island shipwreck

Published 16/04/2012

The Australian Government has stepped in to remove the wreck of the MV Tycoon from the Port of Christmas Island.

Read More

Media Release

100 years after the Titanic

Published 11/04/2012

On the night of 14 April 1912, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean and sank early the next morning.

Read More

Media Release

Strengthening search and rescue partnerships

Published 29/03/2012

Search and rescue officers from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia) will be in Burnie on Thursday (today) to discuss operational aspects of Australia’s search and rescue system, present hypothetical situations and undertake tabletop exercises with Tasmania police officers.

Read More

Media Release

AMSA locates missing aircraft

Published 20/03/2012

AMSA’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia) has been conducting a search for an ultralight aircraft with two people onboard overdue on a training flight from Bundaberg in Queensland.

Read More

Media Release

AMSA seeks public assistance in search for missing aircraft

Published 19/03/2012

AMSA’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia) has been advised that a single engine low wing ultra-light aircraft has failed to return to Bundaberg airport after a training flight.

Read More

Media Release

Australian government responds to Christmas Island oil spill

Published 09/01/2012

Yesterday, the general cargo vessel MV Tycoon broke its moorings in Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island. Severe weather has caused the vessel to founder today, spilling oil and phosphate very close to shore.

Read More

Media Release

Under keel clearance management (UKCM) system declared operational in Torres Strait

Published 16/12/2011

An advanced web-based system for enhancing the safety of deep draught vessels transiting Torres Strait has been declared ‘operational’ by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

Read More

Media Release

AMSA locates missing aircraft

Published 08/12/2011

AMSA’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia) has been conducting a search for a light aircraft with one person onboard overdue on a flight from Roma to Dysart in Queensland.

Read More

Media Release

AMSA seeks public assistance in search for missing aircraft

Published 08/12/2011

AMSA’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC Australia) has concerns for the safety of a pilot on board a light aircraft flying in the region of Roma, Queensland.

Read More

Media Release

Ministerial media release: Australia's role in international shipping recognised by the IMO

Published 26/11/2011

Australia has been re-elected to second place on the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) reflecting our role as a key voice in international shipping.

Read More

Media Release

Tasmanian trio wins National Search and Rescue Award

Published 17/11/2011

Yesterday, the Governor of South Australia, His Excellency, Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR, joined members of the National Search and Rescue (SAR) Council in Adelaide to present the 2011 Australian SAR Award.

Read More

Media Release

Oil spill risk assessment released

Published 01/11/2011

A new risk assessment report has been released today as part of a 10 yearly review of Australia’s National Plan and National Maritime Emergency Response Arrangements.

Read More

2018-19 Annual Regulatory Plan

Published 03/09/2018

Our latest regulatory plan provides details of planned changes to regulatory instruments.

Read More

boat chimney

Transition to 2020 low sulphur fuel requirements

Published 02/09/2018

From 1 January 2020, all ships and vessels operating anywhere in the world will be required to use fuel oil with a maximum sulphur content of 0.5 per cent m/m.

Read More

Two men on a vessel with laptop

Online ordering now available for publications

Published 13/08/2018

The process of ordering and paying for our chargeable publications has changed. You can now browse, select, and purchase your task books, record books, and log books online.

Read More

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

Not sure if you have a domestic commercial vessel?

Published 06/08/2018

Follow the steps to find out if your vessel is a domestic commercial vessel and the safety rules you need to meet.

Read More

AMSA Connect contact centre operator

Connect with us

Published 01/08/2018

We’re here to help you navigate new systems and processes.

Read More

Float-free EPIRB

Transition to mandatory float-free EPIRBs

Published 26/07/2018

From 1 January 2021, float-free emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) will be mandatory on certain types of domestic commercial vessels.

Read More

Domestic commercial vessel

No national system levy for three years

Published 02/07/2018

Deputy Prime Minister announces additional $10 million in funding.

Read More

National Martime System. One system to navigate. One set of rules. One point of contact. One set of fees.

We’re delivering national system services

Published 01/07/2018

You can now access domestic commercial vessel services from one place—AMSA.

Read More

New operational safety requirements

Published 27/06/2018

On 1 July 2018, the new Marine Order 504 (Certificates of operation and operation requirements – national law) Marine Order 504 will commence.

Read More

New fees for domestic commercial vessels

Published 25/06/2018

New fees for domestic commercial vessel safety services are now available.

Read More

YM Efficiency

Locating containers lost from YM Efficiency

Published 22/06/2018

On 1 June 2018 the Liberian-flagged container ship YM Efficiency lost 81 containers in heavy weather about 30 kilometres southeast of Newcastle.

Read More

Survey regime changes—what you need to know

Published 15/06/2018

From 1 July 2018, all domestic commercial vessels that are required to have a certificate of survey will need to be surveyed in accordance with the survey frequency and requirements in the new marine order 503, and Part 2 of the Marine Surveyor Manual.

Read More

National Martime System. One system to navigate. One set of rules. One point of contact. One set of fees.

Certificate services are changing

Published 02/06/2018

From 1 July 2018 services are changing for owners, operators, and crew of domestic commercial vessels. You’ll get your certificates of survey and operation and crew qualification from us instead of your local marine safety agency.

Read More

e-Navigation underway 2018 Asia Pacific

e-Navigation Underway 2018 Asia-Pacific—an annual regional conference

Published 25/05/2018

Registration is now open for the ‘Realisation of e-Navigation in the Asia-Pacific region—Maritime Services’ conference, being held in the Republic of Korea 3 to 5 June 2018.

Read More

Thursday Island

Community open day—Thursday Island

Published 15/05/2018

We are holding a community open day on Thursday Island from 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday 19 May in ANZAC Park.

Read More

Appropriate crewing for your operation under Marine Order 504

Published 10/05/2018

An update on the outcome of the consultation for appropriate crewing for your operation under Marine Order 504.

Read More

Release of AMSA Compliance Strategy 2023-27

Published 31/01/2023

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

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...

Read More

marina

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

Published 20/06/2019

Outcomes of consultation on short term marina accommodation.

Read More

environmental exercise

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...

Read More

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...

Read More

chart

Survey on electronic chart systems now open

Published 31/05/2019

Have you used Electronic Charting Systems for vessel navigation?

Read More

boats in harbour

AMSA Update May edition

Published 31/05/2019

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

Read More

Distress beacons

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...

Read More

diver with bucket

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...

Read More

volunteer search and rescue operator

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.

Read More

men inspecting ship

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...

Read More

Scam alert

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...

Read More

Andrew Self and Brad Groves

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...

Read More

Our CEO Mick Kinley speaking at APHoMSA

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...

Read More

scuba

Working boats issue 15 is now available

Published 30/04/2019

Safety, sustainability and environment.

Read More

AMSA update

AMSA update April edition

Published 30/04/2019

Have you read our latest newsletter?

Read More

Cape naturalista lighthouse

Cape Naturaliste’s big reveal weeks away

Published 24/04/2019

Lighthouse restoration works includes full repaint

Read More