News and media releases

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

AMSA’s search ends for missing helicopter pilot off Port Hedland

Published 16/03/2018

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has suspended its search operations for a missing helicopter pilot off Port Hedland. Following an extensive two-day search, there have been no sightings of the missing pilot.

Update: Search for missing helicopter pilot off Port Hedland

Published 15/03/2018

Search operations for a missing helicopter pilot off Port Hedland will be suspended at last light tonight, Thursday 15 March, and will continue at first light on Friday 16 March.

Search for missing pilot after helicopter ditches off Port Hedland in WA

Published 15/03/2018

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is coordinating a search and rescue operation about 35 kilometres north of Port Hedland in Western Australia this morning.

Search ends for missing crew member from racing yacht Finistere

Published 24/02/2018

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has ended search operations for a missing crew member from the racing yacht Finistere, which capsized 11 nautical miles southwest of Mandurah in Western Australia overnight.

Bulk carrier rescues fishermen from life raft off Western Australia

Published 05/02/2018

Two fishermen have been rescued from a life raft 40 kilometres west of Lake Macleod in Western Australia this morning after their vessel caught fire.

Milestone for Challenger search and rescue jets

Published 20/12/2017

This week marks a year since the first dedicated Challenger 604 search and rescue jet entered into service with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

Joint media release: Newcastle speed boat operation fined for unsafe practices

Published 03/11/2017

The owner and master of a speed boat ride in Newcastle have pleaded guilty and been fined a total of $26,000 in a local magistrates court this week for failing to ensure the safe operation of a domestic commercial vessel.

2017 Australian Search and Rescue Awards

Published 20/10/2017

Unflinching courage was the common thread that linked all three recipients of the 2017 Australian Search and Rescue Awards, which were held at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra on Thursday night (19 October 2017).

Three rescued clinging to upturned boat off Western Australia

Published 12/10/2017

A distress beacon was central to a search and rescue operation off the township of Grey in Western Australia last night (Wednesday, 11 October 2017).

Bulk Carrier caught underpaying crew

Published 14/09/2017

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has banned the Panama flagged bulk carrier DL Carnation for 12 months after the vessel was discovered keeping two sets of wage accounts, covering up the underpayment of crew.

Fisherman rescued in Gulf of Carpentaria

Published 26/08/2017

A fisherman is lucky to be alive after spending more than 12 hours in the water in the Gulf of Carpentaria today when his boat capsized.

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.

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Sydney Harbour cruise ship compliance checks

Published 03/03/2020

Since December 2016, we have conducted 113 compliance checks on 53 cruise ships with 100 per cent compliance observed.

New requirements for vessels carrying passengers

Published 28/02/2020

AMSA has clarified and strengthened requirements for monitoring and counting passengers and managing missing passenger situations.

New 'Stow it, don’t throw it' sticker is now available

Published 26/02/2020

All waste is harmful in the marine environment.

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 fishing operations in remote areas of Far North Queensland.

Restoring Breaksea lighthouse

Published 13/02/2020

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

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 than 0.50 per cent m/m.

University scholarships for 2020

Published 11/02/2020

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

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.

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 retrieved off the Newcastle-Port Stephens coast, come along to one of our community information sessions in February.

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) Council on 29 November.

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National Safe Boating Week runs from 26 September—2 October 2020

Published 25/09/2020

Safety—you’ve got to live it.

Container recovery operation a complete success

Published 08/05/2020

The AMSA led operation to recover containers lost from the YM Efficiency off the NSW coast is...

Five-week coastal clean-up completed

Published 08/05/2020

We’ve completed our subsea operations, with the successful recovery of 63 YM Efficiency containers...

Shutdown of AMSA’s differential global positioning system (DGPS) service

Published 05/05/2020

We have issued a marine notice to inform vessel owners, operators and masters of the shutdown of...

People looking out from the shore at Port Moresby and a containment boom

2020 edition of the National Plan for Maritime Environmental Emergencies

Published 01/05/2020

We have published the 2020 edition of the National Plan.

Container waste video unveiled

Published 01/05/2020

Our footage of subsea robotic equipment prising containers apart and lifting them out of the ocean...

Email scam alert

Published 30/04/2020

An email message claiming to be sent by AMSA about invoices is being circulated.

March 2020 incident report

Published 28/04/2020

Find out about the incidents that were reported to us during March.

Container salvage daily updates and new image gallery now live

Published 24/04/2020

We’ve passed the halfway mark on the massive container salvage off the Newcastle-Port Stephens...

Safety alert—information for coastal pilots and pilotage providers

Published 14/04/2020

Information for coastal pilots and pilotage providers about safety during the COVID-19 period.

AMSA update—April 2020 edition

Published 08/04/2020

Read our April edition of AMSA update.

Australian seafarers receive qualification extension amid COVID-19

Published 07/04/2020

Australian seafarers with both domestic and international qualifications will receive an automatic...

First YM Efficiency container retrieval

Published 07/04/2020

The subsea lift of the first container took place on 6 April using a hydraulic crane and rigging,...

Extension of time for certificate renewals during COVID-19 pandemic

Published 05/04/2020

We have extended the duration of all National Law certificates of competency.

Update on Australia's Differential Global Positioning System

Published 03/04/2020

In November 2019, we advised that we would discontinue the DGPS service on 1 July 2020, and we...

Ask us a question about improvements to passenger safety

Published 02/04/2020

From the 31 May 2020, any domestic commercial vessel that carries passengers must meet new...

February incident report

Published 02/04/2020

Ten serious incidents were reported to us during February 2020.

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