We are responsible for handling health and safety issues for personnel on prescribed ships that are engaged in trade or commerce on international and domestic voyages.

A timeline of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA’s) involvement in the search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Ships registered on the Australian general shipping register have Australian nationality.

During the COVID-19 pandemic many seafarers have played an essential role.

You can submit your completed Seafarer form 419 or Certificate of competency application form 426 at participating Australia Post retail outlets.

In this edition we talk about Draft instruction for ultrasonic thickness measurement for metallic vessels, Transitional requirements, Proposed changes to SAGM Pt 2 Stability booklets and more

In this edition we explain about National Law audits,

Keeping a radio watch saves lives. Use this guidance to set up your radio watchkeeping process and comply with Marine Order 504.

Transfer, suspend or revoke a certificate or approval for a domestic commercial vessel. You may need to transfer the certificate or approval when you sell or purchase a vessel.

A safety management system (also referred to as an SMS) is a systematic approach to managing safety.

Learn how to control the risk of fatigue to your crew and your operation.

How to calculate and record your sea service for a near coastal certificate of competency.

Mark Sherriff is a former AMSA lighthouse keeper and recipient of a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to community history.

Check current fees for STCW certificates, assessments and related services. All fees are in Australian dollars (AUD).

We have approved these courses if you want to qualify for a certificate under international training conventions.

Read a transcript of the webinar 'Changes to safety management systems requirements' held 19 March 2025.

On 21 May 1990 an extensive oil slick was sighted approximately four nautical miles south-east of Cape Otway by the pilot of a light aircraft. The Australian-flagged tanker Arthur Phillip was later established as the source of the spill.

On the evening of 29 May 2022, a commercial fishing vessel was on a voyage from Mackay to Cairns when the master noticed an auxiliary engine alarm. Upon lifting the engine room hatch, the master saw smoke and an orange glow and the engine room subsequently caught fire. The master quickly made the decision that they would not be able to fight the fire without jeopardising their safety and abandoned ship. An SMS risk assessment on appropriate crewing on a voyage greater than 12 hours duration should be undertaken in these situations.

Look out for marine fauna and report any collisions.

Exercise Barossa was a biannual oil spill response exercise conducted in Adelaide under our National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and Other Noxious and Hazardous Substances.