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

Since 2020, 345 serious crew injuries have been reported to us from regulated Australian vessels and foreign flagged vessels in Australian waters. Find out how effective risk assessments can help prevent accidents onboard.

We are the Australian Government agency responsible for implementing the 1 January 2020 low sulphur fuel regulation as set out in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

Oil spill control agents (OSCA) may assist in oil spill clean up in Australian waters.

Commonwealth legislation requires a verified gross mass (VGM) be supplied before a container can be loaded onto a ship.

On 6 November 2021, while enroute, a passenger charter (Class 1E) vessel’s inadequately secured swim platform gate opened when a passenger and toddler leant against it causing the two passengers to fall into the water. The investigation identified that there was no locking bolt on the gate, no risk assessments and no passenger verification procedures in place. 

Dynamic separation can cause your vessel to become unbalanced and tip over. Find out how you can avoid this happening.

When Port Hedland VTS received notification of four people clinging to a vessel in the anchorage zone, they wasted no time co-ordinating local assets to effect a rescue worthy of a nomination for the Australian VTS Award.

In this edition we talk about Lightship declarations and the law, new surveyor accreditation guidance manual part 2 now available and electrical issues able to be identified by non-electrical periodic surveyors.

Disconnection of LPG system the source of explosion on a houseboat

A hire vessel capsized after it was beached on a sandbank in a designated no-go area. The incident shows why hirers and participants must follow safety briefings and emergency plans.

On the morning of 24 April 2022, a fishing vessel ran aground on a reef between Bundaberg and Torres Strait. The master and two deck hands had been underway for six days prior to the grounding. The master was fatigued, having had little sleep given the watchkeeping schedule and the competency levels of the two deckhands.

Find local suppliers of fuel oil in Queensland.

Risk assessments help identify why, when and where lifejackets need to be worn during vessel operations. Wearing a lifejacket can help prevent a tragic incident.

On the evening of 29 May 2022, a commercial fishing vessel was on a voyage from Mackay to Cairns when the master noticed an auxiliary engine alarm. Upon lifting the engine room hatch, the master saw smoke and an orange glow and the engine room subsequently caught fire. The master quickly made the decision that they would not be able to fight the fire without jeopardising their safety and abandoned ship. An SMS risk assessment on appropriate crewing on a voyage greater than 12 hours duration should be undertaken in these situations.

On 21 August 2019, a landing barge (operated as a Class 1E and 2D) capsized while transiting from Great Mackerel Beach to Pittwater north of Sydney.

Under Marine Order 503 a transitional vessel is an existing vessel that has: 

Dispersants can be effective response tools. Use of dispersants is dependent on many factors including timing, properties of the oil, and logistics.

Carry the type of lifejacket required for your vessel's highest service category. You can choose self-inflating, manual inflating or foam buoyancy lifejackets.