From 1 July 2018, new survey requirements for domestic commercial vessels apply. This includes changes to marine order 503 to apply the new periodic survey requirements to all vessels required to be in survey—existing, transitional and new vessels.

Some vessels do not have to be surveyed. Depending on the type of vessel, you may need to apply for approval to operate.

Carry the right safety equipment, including lifejackets, life rafts, and first aid kits.

Do a lifejacket risk assessment. Your safety, and the safety of your passengers and crew, depends on it. Wearing a lifejacket can help prevent a tragic incident.

Our scholarship program supports the development of skills in the maritime industry and builds our brand as an employer of choice.

1. The criteria for the issue to a person of a trainee pilot licence are that the person: (a)  is entitled to work in Australia; and (b)  holds: 

You need full ownership history to register a vessel. If you don’t have this information, you must submit a notice of intention to register a vessel to AMSA.

A charter fishing vessel proceeding to a fishing spot began experiencing progressively worsening weather conditions and water ingress. Despite the owner’s warning prior to departure and passenger complaints, the master continued to the fishing destination. Strong winds and waves hampered anchoring, with water accumulating on deck through the transom door to the point of flooding. The vessel’s EPIRB was deployed, and a rescue helicopter attended, winching the master and passengers to safety.

Our social medial channels are open forums. We ask that you follow our posting guidelines outlined in these terms of use.

We celebrated Hulita Lamasialeva Fa’anunu’s achievements on World Maritime Day last year. She embodied the 2019 theme—empowering women in the maritime community.

If you own or operate a domestic commercial vessel in Australia, you are required to obtain a certificate of operation before you operate the vessel.

On 6 October 2022, two crewmembers were setting cray pots on the port and starboard side of a fishing vessel. During one setting, the crewmember’s foot (on the port side) became entangled in the cray pot’s rope dragging them over the side. The second crewmember raised the alarm and the master immediately stopped the vessel and instructed the crewmember to attach the line to the pot winch. The master and crewmember, having conducted regular emergency procedure drills, quickly raised the person overboard (PoB) via the pot winch, deployed the overboard ladder, and cut the rope. The PoB sustained some water in the lungs but was otherwise unharmed.

Get your Master or deck certificate of competency revalidated before it expires.

Read a summary of results from the consultation on Marine Order 28 (Operations standards and procedures) and download a copy of the full report.

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.

Find out if the vessel you own or operate under a boat-share agreement is a domestic commercial vessel.

A particularly sensitive sea area (PSSA) is given special protection because of its vulnerability to damage from international shipping activities.

The minimum certification and qualifications required by lecturers to deliver our approved courses for the issue of an AMSA STCW Certificate. These requirements are in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping 1978, as amended (STCW).

AMSA’s invoicing process is changing. From 1 March 2022, all invoices for AMSA must be emailed as a PDF attachment to our new centralised email address (invoices@amsa.gov.au) for automated processing. This will ensure invoices are processed more quickly for payment.