A lone cray fisher was heading for shelter during poor weather. He had been working for 17 hours without rest. While nearing the planned anchor point, the master fell asleep at the helm and the vessel continued on, running aground on the rocky shoreline.

This marine notice highlights shipowners, operators, masters and crews obligation to ensure safe working arrangements are in place for any work involving a ship’s elevator.

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.

About the feedback we received on the National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety transition.

Middleton Kirwasi Gwaday travelled from his home country Papua New Guinea to complete a master's degree in Sweden.

The mooring snagged on an unseen underwater object and the chain was pulled out of the bow roller and down the side of the vessel. The vessel capsized with no resulting injuries.

Procedures for STCW courses provided by Registered training organisations including e-learning, distance learning and blended learning, GMDSS ROC and short courses.

Shipping containers lost from ships are a cause of pollution in the marine environment.

During a private charter a passenger fell down a stairwell and sustained serious injuries. The area around the top of the stairwell had a recess that reduced the floor area slightly and could be missed during movements. The stairs themselves were not found to be contributory to this incident. However, the spiral design proved problematic for providing post-incident medical assistance for the passenger. Any area that may present a safety risk to passengers onboard a vessel should be risk assessed, with appropriate control measures put in place to ensure passenger safety.

A 7.5m punt (flat bottomed vessel) used for aquaculture operations contacted a marina at speed, injuring 4 people onboard.

A crew member’s arm was crushed between the vessel and a pylon while tending to mooring lines.

Read previous AMSA update editions from 2024

On Sunday 26 May 1974 the bulk carrier Sygna was involved in a major pollution incident.

A fire occurred on a passenger vessel in a busy harbour. The master and crew took immediate action and followed emergency procedures to disembark and transfer 73 passengers safely to another ferry. The vessel’s structural and fixed firefighting systems worked effectively to contain and extinguish the fire.

This figure describes Modern Slavery Risks

We offer nationally recognised units of competency in marine pollution response and incident management.

A passenger ferry was returning from its scheduled service when an unanticipated wave raised its stern and caused its bow to dive under the water. Water rushed over the bow and a significant amount came through the forward portside access door and into the passenger compartment. The master immediately reduced speed, which expelled most of the water overboard. The forward portside access door had been left open by a crew member who was attempting to alleviate sea sickness among some passengers. The action of leaving the door open during the voyage was contrary to the vessel’s survey requirements. Signage requiring the door to be kept closed when underway was reportedly not seen by crew members. This resulted in water entering the vessel creating a potentially unsafe situation.

A powered barge with a mounted crane became unstable and capsized in 3.5 metres of water during lifting operations of a concrete structure.

We have issued an updated marine notice for Under Keel Clearance Management (UKCM) in Torres Strait. This notice outlines the management framework, summarises the responsibilities and reminds all coastal pilots transiting ships when they are required to use the Under Keel Clearance Management (UKCM) system.