We work with government and industry to respond to pollution incidents under the National Plan for Maritime Environmental Emergencies.

On Sunday 9 January 2012, the cargo vessel the MV Tycoon broke free from its mooring at Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island, and washed against the seawall and nearby cliff face. The ship had been loading phosphate at the time of the 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.

We inspect domestic commercial vessels to ensure crew, vessel, and operational safety.

This safety alert aims to raise awareness of the risks involved with the carriage of battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) on roll-on, roll-off (RORO) ferries.

In this edition, learn more about the new NSCV C2 and Marine Order 97.

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.

We are making changes to Marine Order 504 (Certificates of operation and operation requirements – national law) 2018 (Marine order 504) to clarify requirements for monitoring and accounting for passengers on domestic commercial vessels.

1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024 - xlsx

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

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

On 1 October 1973, the National Plan for Maritime Environmental Emergencies (National Plan) came into operation.

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.

Arrangements between government and industry under the National Plan for Maritime Environmental Emergencies to respond to shipping casualties.

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 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.

Generic equivalent solutions (GES) support national standards by allowing the use of new technology and other solutions.

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).