A Class 1 passenger vessel’s port engine caught fire whilst northeast of Fraser Island with 82 passengers and crew onboard. The investigation found that regular planned engine maintenance, in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications, was not in place at the time of the incident. The crew’s response to the incident was immediate and effective. The transfer of the 77 passengers to a nearby vessel, which attended the distress call within 10 minutes, was undertaken quickly and effectively by the master and crew.

Be prepared before your trip. Stay safe at sea, on land or in the air.

The technologies which support our search and rescue (SAR) response.

We collect and analyse information from reported marine incidents to improve safety across the maritime industry.

Marine incidents are defined by relevant Australian laws and include a number of different types of incidents.

AMSA shut down its DGPS service on 1 July 2020.

Getting hooked-up is one of the most dangerous situations you can experience on a trawler. Be prepared. Knowing what you and your crew need to do can save lives.

The provision of adequate port waste reception facilities for ship-generated waste is vital to preventing marine pollution.

Notify AMSA as soon as possible after becoming aware of an incident

Toxic gases can quickly build up on board vessels and kill a crew member or passenger in minutes. Identify equipment, appliances and systems that create these gases and reduce the risks.

Our search and rescue incidents from 2013–14.

The Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) produces and publishes Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) covering Australian, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Australian Antarctic Territory waters.

This marine notice advises vessel owners, vessel operators, masters, officers, seafarer training organisations and industry organisations that AMSA does not consider electronic visual distress signals (EVDs) to be a suitable replacement for pyrotechnic distress signals.

Be prepared before your trip. Stay safe at sea.

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

Our structure gives you an idea of which area can help you when you get in touch.

NOPSEMA has been working with state authorities to improve and streamline consultation practices within the offshore petroleum industry, and provide advice on regulatory requirements for offshore petroleum activities.

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.

(1)  The criteria for the issue of a check pilot licence to a person are that the person: