On 6 February 1988 the Hong Kong registered bulk carrier Sir Alexander Glen lost approximately 450 tonnes of heavy fuel oil into the waters off Port Walcott, Western Australia when a bunker tank was holed by the ship's anchor.

The Pacific Quest was found guilty of discharging an oily mixture from a ship into the sea near Border Island, Queensland on 25 December 2002.

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

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.

From 1 May 2023 to 30 June 2023, we will undertake a focused inspection campaign (FIC) on planned maintenance requirements for domestic commercial vessels (DCVs).

Our regulatory program is prepared annually and contains details of planned and completed changes to our regulatory instruments.

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.

There are laws against ship sourced pollution and those responsible may be prosecuted under state or territory legislation.

Read a transcript of the webinar 'Fatigue management on domestic commercial vessels' held on 8 May 2026.

The National Maritime Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulators Forum is a collaborative platform for discussing maritime workplace health and safety. Its main aim is to improve safety for domestic commercial vessels.

Alerts the maritime industry to findings of two recent accident investigations conducted by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and the New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission.

Our role in working with the offshore industry.

Hours of Work and Rest – 01 May 2022 to 17 June 2022AMSA conducted an Hours of Work and Rest Focused Inspection Campaign (FIC) over the period 01 May 2022 to 17 June 2022.  

The inaugural Australian VTS Award saw Brisbane VTS operators Todd Stewart and Ricky Blake commended for their actions, which had a profound impact on the outcome of two men and a young boy lost at sea.

Find safety equipment guides for class 1, 2 and 3 vessels that hold a certificate of survey.

Our approach to comply with the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law 2012 from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019.

Purpose To ensure that navigation corridors are used appropriately when planning on ECDIS, and to ensure that a voyage plan approved by the ship’s Master is executed within the planne