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.

If you submit an incomplete application, we will not progress your application for a domestic commercial vessel permission or approval.

Survey vessels in these classes are required to carry a Scale F first aid kit on board: 1B, 1C (with unberthed passengers), 1D (with berthed passengers), 1E (with berthed passengers), 2B, 2C, 3B and 3C.

In Australia, domestic commercial vessels are regulated under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 (national law act). The National Law Act underpins the National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety (national system).

At 8.55 am on 10 September 1979, the tanker World Encouragement was conducting berthing operations at an Australian Oil Refinery (AOR) mooring at Kurnell in Botany Bay, New South Wales, when oil began rising to the water surface from beneath the ship.

Our range of navigation services includes marine navigation and e-navigation.

Find out more about how to get a certificate of medical fitness, and why you need one.

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.

Learn about our oral exams and how to make a booking.

Find out who can be the designated person for a DCV and what they need to do.

The Australian states and territories work with us to coordinate an effective search and rescue (SAR) service.

All ships must follow the requirements of MARPOL Annex V when discharging cargo residue.

It’s important to maintain your lifejacket according to the manufacturer’s instructions so it works when you need it.

On 21 August 2019, a landing barge (operated as a Class 1E and 2D) capsized while transiting from Great Mackerel Beach to Pittwater north of Sydney.

A passenger vessel collided with an unseen rock, resulting in the injury of a passenger. The master navigated the vessel into unfamiliar waters that was not a normal or planned part of the passenger tour experience, and not authorised by the tour company. Owners and operators should ensure masters continue to conform to the planned or authorised route for the services they offer.

Our search and rescue incidents from 2016–17.

Read about the changes we have made to the NSCV since 2020.

Most services for operators and crew of domestic commercial vessels are now provided by us instead of Marine and Safety Tasmania.

Information for ship owners and operators about the application of the Bunkers Convention in Australia.