News and media releases

Discover the latest developments and news updates from AMSA. See our information for journalists and members of the media.

MV Rena banned from Australian ports

Published 03/08/2017

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has banned the Bahamas flagged bulk carrier MV Rena from Australian ports for six months after the ship repeatedly failed to pay outstanding wages and maintain a safe workplace for its crew.

Cargo ship Kiunga Chief banned from Australian ports

Published 05/06/2017

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has banned the Papua New Guinea-flagged cargo ship Kiunga Chief from entering or using Australian ports for three months.

Joint media release: Pilot missing near Murwillumbah found deceased

Published 18/05/2017

A search for a pilot reported missing on the Far North Coast has concluded with the wreckage of an ultra light found a short time ago.

AMSA consultation to streamline National System and reduce red tape—Newcastle

Published 07/05/2017

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Domestic Vessel Division will begin a thorough consultation process with domestic vessel operators, starting in Hervey Bay on Friday.

AMSA presents award to MV Comet Ace Master and crew for rescue of MOB from MV Cape Spencer

Master and crew honoured for rescuing man over board

Published 12/04/2017

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has recognised the master and crew of Panama-flagged car carrier MV Comet Ace for the remarkable rescue of a man over board in Vitiaz Strait on Saturday, 8 April 2017.

Survivors recovered from Curtis Island helicopter crash

Published 19/03/2017

Two survivors have been recovered from a helicopter crash on Curtis Island in Queensland following an overnight search and rescue operation coordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

South African nationals rescued from stricken yacht

Published 19/03/2017

Three South African nationals have been rescued from their stricken yacht in the southern Indian Ocean

Two sailors rescued from yacht 210 NM from Sydney

Published 08/03/2017

In a joint operation between the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and NSW Police two people have been rescued from a yacht in distress about 210 nautical miles (NM) east north-east of Sydney.

Australia and Fiji work together to fix maritime navigation equipment damaged by Tropical Cyclone Winston

Published 07/02/2017

In February 2016, Fiji suffered the devastating effects of Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Solo sailor rescued in rough seas off Cape Howe

Published 21/01/2017

A solo yachtsman was winched to safety in the early hours of this morning in rough seas off the southern New South Wales coast.

Freight company honoured for Torres Strait service

Published 13/01/2017

Thousands of lifejackets have been distributed to children living in the Torres Strait, thanks to the longstanding Torres Strait Marine Safety Program (TSMSP).

Australia and Japan develop safety standards for shipping liquid hydrogen

Published 11/01/2017

Australia and Japan signed a memorandum at the headquarters of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) in Canberra today which will allow liquid hydrogen to be shipped in bulk for the first time.

Next generation search and rescue aircraft comes online

Published 16/12/2016

The first of Australia’s new dedicated search and rescue aircraft has officially been accepted into service in Cairns.

Appeals Tribunal upholds AMSA ship detention

Published 30/11/2016

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s decision to detain a Hong Kong flagged container ship which dumped food waste in close proximity to Fraser Island in May was affirmed by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal at a hearing on Friday, 25 November 2016.

AMSA search concluded for missing fisherman off Fraser Island

Published 09/11/2016

AMSA’s search for a fisherman, still missing following a vessel capsize off Fraser Island, has ended, with Queensland Police continuing operations in the area.

Helicopter crew completes rescue of injured WA fisherman

Published 07/11/2016

A seriously injured cray fisherman was winched to safety overnight in high seas off Israelite Bay in Western Australia in a search and rescue operation coordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

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AMSA year in review 2019

Published 20/12/2019

Did you know we helped save the lives of 234 people in distress in 2019? Or that our AMSA Response Centre responded to 10,292 operational incidents? You might be surprised to learn we spent 856,200 minutes on the phone helping people with their enquiries—that’s the equivalent of 5.2 years!

Marine order changes commencing in 2020

Published 19/12/2019

Additional information reminding industry of Marine orders and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) resolutions coming into effect on or around 1 January 2020 is now available.

Image of YM Efficiency and the containers

Contract signed for YM Efficiency pollution clean-up operation

Published 18/12/2019

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has signed a contract to remove the pollution caused by the Yang Ming owned container ship YM Efficiency, when it lost 81 containers off the coast of Newcastle last year.

Tell us what you think about passenger safety and Marine order 504

Published 16/12/2019

We are making changes to Marine order 504 to improve passenger safety on domestic commercial vessels.

Michelle Grech receiving the Bob Campbell prize for best presentation at the Pacific 2019 conference

Michelle Grech awarded the Bob Campbell prize for best presentation

Published 13/12/2019

Michelle Grech, Manager Vessel Operations, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, was awarded the Bob Campbell Prize for the best presentation and paper at the PACIFIC 2019 International Maritime Conference (IMC 2019) in Sydney in October 2019.

Passenger safety sticker available

Published 09/12/2019

Do you carry passengers on your domestic commercial vessel?

SMS Workshops—registrations now open for Ayr Queensland

Published 04/12/2019

Register now for the last SMS workshop for 2019 in Ayr, Queensland on 10 December.

Countdown to low sulphur fuel cap

Published 04/12/2019

From 1 January 2020, the sulphur content in marine fuel will decrease from 3.50 per cent m/m to 0.50 per cent m/m.

Vessel Traffic Services award: nominations now open

Published 03/12/2019

Nominations are now open for our inaugural Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) award.

Yacht near a differential global positioning system

AMSA update—November edition

Published 29/11/2019

Catch up on maritime news.

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 certification services with respect to the Jamaican Ship Registry.

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 protected.

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 times. Maintaining two way communications is one way to do this.

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 Maritime Professional Development Program this last month.

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APL England incident update

Published 10/07/2020

On the 24th of May 2020 the container ship APL England enroute from China to Melbourne experienced...

Incident report for January 2020

Published 18/02/2020

Eleven serious incidents were reported to us during January.

Collaboration brings maritime safety improvements

Published 17/02/2020

Authorities and industry education are collaborating to help improve the safety of commercial...

Restoring Breaksea lighthouse

Published 13/02/2020

We are responsible for the maintenance and repair of lighthouses across Australia.

Collaboration brings FNQ maritime safety improvements

Published 13/02/2020

Authorities and industry education are collaborating to help improve the safety of commercial...

Sulphur 2020—Carriage ban implemented from 1 March 2020

Published 11/02/2020

From 1 March 2020, all vessels are banned from carrying fuel oil with a sulphur content greater...

University scholarships for 2020

Published 11/02/2020

Applications close in late February for our scholarships for courses related to maritime employment...

Yang Ming ship arrested for pollution debt

Published 09/02/2020

The sister ship of the YM Efficiency, which lost 81 shipping containers off the coast of Newcastle...

AMSA update—January 2020 edition

Published 03/02/2020

Read our first edition of AMSA update for 2020.

People in maritime—Mohammed Taslim

Published 30/01/2020

Read another inspiring story from our people in maritime series

Working Boats issue 18—Innovation and resourcefulness

Published 28/01/2020

Working Boats is a quarterly magazine about Australia’s commercial maritime industry.

People in maritime—Hulita Lamasialeva Fa’anunu’s

Published 17/01/2020

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

Master convicted after failing to report main engine breakdown without delay

Published 16/01/2020

The master of a ship has been convicted after failing to report without delay a main engine...

December incident report

Published 15/01/2020

Eleven serious incidents were reported to us during December 2019.

Operation recovery—YM Efficiency community meetings

Published 13/01/2020

If you’re interested in learning more about how the YM Efficiency shipping containers will be...

People in maritime—Middleton Kirwasi Gwaday

Published 08/01/2020

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

AMSA CEO, Mick Kinley; General Manager Standards, Brad Groves; Manager International Engagement, Elisa Boughton; Alternate Permanent Representatives Mattew McGregor and Annalisse Sly, and ED Surface Transport Policy, Jess Hall, George Brandis

Australia re-elected to the IMO Council

Published 06/01/2020

Australia was successfully re-elected to Category B of the International Maritime Organization (IMO...

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