Guidance on ensuring appropriate crewing for safe navigation for domestic commercial vessels.

In this edition we talk about audits and application assessments, compass adjustment requirements, uncrewed barges and more.

This marine notice aims to raise awareness of the risks involved with getting on and off vessels.

We have released some safety guidance for commercial parasailing operators. Parasailing vessels are considered domestic commercial vessels under the National law.

AMSA is proud to sponsor the Environmental Stewardship Award at the 2023 Tasmanian Seafood Awards.

If you hold a valid STCW certificate issued by another country and want to work on an Australian-flagged vessel, you need a certificate of recognition (CoR). In some countries this is called a recognition endorsement.

The short-term measure under the MARPOL Convention requires ships engaged on international voyages to make improvements to deliver a reduction in their carbon intensity by an average of at least 40% by 2030 (compared to 2008 levels), in line with the target set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

A charter vessel transiting between research sites at night collided with a stationary vessel. The stationary vessel’s master claimed to have an anchor light on, but the crew of the charter vessel stated they did not see any navigation lights. The master of the stationary vessel was preparing food on the vessel at the time and may have obstructed the anchor light view from the charter vessel’s crew. The master of the charter vessel was found to have been operating at high speed given the conditions (night operations). This also rendered the lookout ineffective.

The global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) connects you to coast stations and vessels via satellite and radio communications when you're out at sea.

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.

Our search and rescue incidents from 2016–17.

Following a report to AMSA, and subsequent investigation, the Pax Phoenix was fined for illegally discharging oily water into the marine environment near Holbourne Island, Queensland on 2 September 2001.

The North-East Shipping Management Plan identifies actions based on information about the nature of shipping activity in the north-east region as well as the experience and knowledge of members of the North-East Water Space Management Working Group.

On 20 May 1988 bulk carrier Korean Star grounded in the vicinity of Cape Cuvier within the port limits of Carnarvon, Western Australia.

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

Oil tankers above 150 gross tonnage and other ships of 400 gross tonnage or above must record oil-relevant operations.