At approximately 5.30 am WA time on Friday 21 August 2009 the Montara Wellhead mobile drilling unit, located 140 miles offshore from the north-west Australian coast, had an uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons from one of the platform wells. Consequently oil escaped to the surface and gaseous hydrocarbons escaped into the atmosphere.

The information you provide in your incident report plays an important part in guiding the way we improve maritime safety for everybody on the water. By reporting marine incidents to us, you are also meeting your reporting obligations under Australian laws.

Find local suppliers of fuel oil in Tasmania.

Find local suppliers of fuel oil in Queensland.

Australia’s first recorded major oil spill occurred on Saturday 28 November 1903 in Port Phillip Bay.

The National Maritime Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulators Forum is a collaborative platform for discussing maritime workplace health and safety. Its main aim is to improve safety for domestic commercial vessels.

Read previous AMSA update editions from 2025

Poorly secured containers can put lives at risk, damage the environment and cost millions. Find out how safe stowage practices keep cargo on board and help protect lives, livelihoods and the industry.

Our organisation has observed that a number of Administrations are issuing dispensations to ships where a defect has occurred to a critical piece of equipment. There are differing circumstances where we will and will not accept the dispensation.

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Planned Maintenance – 15 January 2022 to 28 February 2022AMSA conducted a Planned Maintenance Focused Inspection Campaign (FIC) over the period 15 January 2022 to 28 February 2022.

You have a responsibility not to pollute the sea, and to be aware of the laws about oil and garbage pollution from vessels, including fishing vessels.

AMSA and the Bureau of Meteorology provide vessels with maritime safety information (MSI) about hazards and foreseeable dangers to safe navigation through Australia's marine environment.

The latest issue of the Maritime Safety Awareness Bulletin focuses on maintenance.

The Maritine Agencies Forum (MAF) provides a forum for collaboration on maritime safety and other issues.