News and media releases

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Discover the latest developments and news updates from AMSA.

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

Media Release

AMSA assisting bulk carrier in Coral Sea

Published 19/05/2012

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Media Release

AMSA seeks public assistance in search for missing aircraft

Published 18/08/2011

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

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AMSA Challenger CL-604 jet

Search and rescue boost as new capability comes online

Published 27/01/2016

Australia's search and rescue capabilities are being bolstered by a $640 million service contract over 12 years for new technology and aircraft. This investment will provide essential eyes in the sky for people in distress, with the replacement aircraft based in Perth, Cairns and Essendon.

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Australia re-elected to IMO Council

Published 28/11/2015

Media statement Warren Truss Deputy Prime Minister Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development

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Simon Luff (L) and David Lynn (R), Allways Shipping Pty Ltd; with Gary Prosser, Acting Chief Executive Officer, AMSA

Allways Shipping Pty Ltd—Lloyd’s List Australian Shipping and Maritime Industry’s Seafarer Welfare Award 2015

Published 27/11/2015

AMSA and the Australian Seafarers’ Welfare Council would like to congratulate David Lynn and Simon Luff of Allways Shipping Pty Ltd for winning the 2015 Seafarer Welfare Award.

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AMSA CEO Mick Kinley, Able Seaman Vicente Somera, Mrs Lilibeth Somera, and HE Enrique Manalo, Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom

Able Seaman Mr Vicente Somera receives Certificate of commendation at Exceptional Bravery at Sea Award ceremony

Published 20/11/2015

A ceremony for the 2015 International Maritime Organization (IMO) Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea took place on 19 November 2015 in London.

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Coral Knight 1

AMSA’s ETV Coral Knight tests its emergency response capabilities

Published 09/11/2015

Between 31 October and 2 November AMSA’s Salvage and Intervention team coordinated pollution response, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and emergency towage drills on board the Coral Knight.

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Hobart workshop participants

Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety Management and Risk Assessment workshops

Published 03/11/2015

AMSA launched the Risk and Safety Management Workshop Resource Kit in Hobart earlier this year for Domestic Commercial Vessel stakeholders.

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IMO Secretary-General Mr Koji Sekimizu

Australia hosts farewell reception for the IMO Secretary-General

Published 27/10/2015

On 21 October, Australia hosted a special farewell function in honour of the current International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General, Mr Koji Sekimizu at Australia House in London.

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Domestic Commercial Vessel Industry Advisory Committee meeting attendees, Brisbane

Inaugural Domestic Commercial Vessel Industry Advisory Committee meeting

Published 19/10/2015

The inaugural Domestic Commercial Vessel Industry Advisory Committee meeting was held in Brisbane last Wednesday, with passenger and trading vessel operators and boat builders contributing to the membership of the group.

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2015 Australian Search and Rescue Award recipients - Port Stephens Volunteer Marine Rescue crew - pictured with AMSA CEO Mick Kinley, Brisbane

Volunteers recognised with Australian Search and Rescue Award

Published 16/10/2015

Volunteers from Port Stephens have been awarded the 2015 Australian Search and Rescue Award for their bravery and seamanship during a rescue operation to save two people from a yacht in cyclonic weather conditions.

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(L-R) Mike Mrdak, Secretary, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development; Stuart Richey AM, Chairman, AMSA; The Hon Warren Truss MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development; and Mick Kinley, Chief Executive

AMSA celebrates World Maritime Day 2015

Published 25/09/2015

This week, Australia celebrated the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) World Maritime Day 2015 by participating in events around the globe.

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100 years of national management of lighthouses

100 years of national management of lighthouses

Published 01/07/2015

1 July 2015 is the centenary of the Australian Government's management of lighthouses and other aids to navigation in Australian waters.

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Day of the seafarer 25 June

Day of the Seafarer 2015

Published 25/06/2015

Today is the International Day of the Seafarer and we’re sharing the #CareerAtSea stories of some of our employees.

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Paul MacGillivary presents at the MLC, 2006 seminar

AMSA conducts Maritime Labour Convention training in Indonesia

Published 18/06/2015

Earlier this month we provided Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) training in Jakarta, Indonesia. Australia is a signatory to the MLC, 2006 which provides working and living standards for the world’s 1.4 million seafarers.

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Brad Groves being congratulated on his appointment as MSC Chairman

AMSA General Manager elected Chairman of international Maritime Safety Committee

Published 15/06/2015

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) Navigation Safety and International Relations General Manager Brad Groves has been elected as Chairman of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) for 2016.

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Resource kit launch, Hobart

Safety management resource kit launched

Published 01/06/2015

In May we launched the Risk and Safety Management Workshop Resource Kit in Hobart. In partnership with the Australian Maritime College, the kit is designed to help commercial vessel operators and crew tailor a safety management system for their operation.

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AMSA to deliver full range of services for domestic maritime industry

AMSA to deliver full range of services for domestic maritime industry

Published 29/05/2015

Transport Ministers representing all states and territories decided in November 2014 that the Australian Maritime Safety Authority will assume responsibility for full delivery of services and funding for domestic commercial vessels by July 2019, with a two year transition period commencing in July 2017.

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Marine incident reporting

Focus on the importance of marine incident reporting

Published 09/05/2022

Over the coming months, we will be focusing our attention on the importance of marine incident...

AMSA update

Latest edition of AMSA update

Published 26/09/2018

Have you read our latest newsletter?

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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...

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FPV Osiris

Update on rescue of solo yachtsman Abhliash Tomy in the Indian Ocean

Published 25/09/2018

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) received confirmation that the French fisheries...

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crowd at markets

Blessing of the Fleet at Sydney Fish Market

Published 25/09/2018

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

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SV Thuriya

Search for solo yachtsman Abhilash Tomy in the Indian Ocean

Published 24/09/2018

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is coordinating a multi-national search and rescue...

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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.

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recipients

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...

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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.

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ship with falling containers

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...

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2018-19 Annual Regulatory Plan

Published 03/09/2018

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

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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...

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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...

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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...

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AMSA Connect contact centre operator

Connect with us

Published 01/08/2018

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

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Float-free EPIRB

Float-free EPIRBs mandatory from January 2021

Published 26/07/2018

From 1 January 2021, float-free emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) will be...

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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...

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