On 6 October 2022, two crewmembers were setting cray pots on the port and starboard side of a fishing vessel. During one setting, the crewmember’s foot (on the port side) became entangled in the cray pot’s rope dragging them over the side. The second crewmember raised the alarm and the master immediately stopped the vessel and instructed the crewmember to attach the line to the pot winch. The master and crewmember, having conducted regular emergency procedure drills, quickly raised the person overboard (PoB) via the pot winch, deployed the overboard ladder, and cut the rope. The PoB sustained some water in the lungs but was otherwise unharmed.

An explosion occurred on a charter fishing vessel whilst berthed. The investigation identified that the ignition source was a lithium-ion battery that was not holding charge connected to a battery charger in a way that bypassed the battery management safety system. The vessel was beyond repair following the explosion.

1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024 - xlsx

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.

Tests for establishing and verifying vessel stability.

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.

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

Most services for operators and crew of domestic commercial vessels are now provided by us instead of the Northern Territory Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics.

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

We have released some safety guidance for commercial parasailing operators. Parasailing vessels are considered domestic commercial vessels under the National law.

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.

The oil spill from the Oceanic Grandeur in Torres Strait in March 1970 highlighted Australia’s lack of preparedness at the time to deal with a major oil spill in the marine environment.

This figure describes Modern Slavery Risks

Disconnection of LPG system the source of explosion on a houseboat

Requirements for national colours of flags for Australian ships.

Following a report to AMSA, and subsequent investigation, the Pax Phoenix was fined for illegally discharging oily water into the marine environment near Holbourne Island, Queensland on 2 September 2001.

On 19 November 2020, a class 3B fishing vessel grounded on a beach after the master and two deckhands, fell asleep. The investigation identified that there was no clear procedure for standing watch. Fatigue also contributed to the poor decisions made by the crew around who was supposed to be on watch that morning.

From 1 January 2022, AMSA will provide 24-hour nationwide monitoring of high frequency (HF) radiotelephone distress, urgency and safety communications in Australia.