This is advice for ship owners and masters. We will undertake a focused inspection campaign (FIC) on cargo securing arrangements from 1 August to 31 October 2020. This is in response to recent events where containers have been lost into the sea off the Australian Coast.

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.

Advice about the maximum continuous period that a seafarer can serve on board a vessel without taking leave.

AMSA surveyors will be using the checklist below when inspecting ships as part of our planned maintenance focused inspection campaign.

The Sylvan Arrow was found guilty of discharging an oily mixture into the sea west of Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria on 18 December 1999.

Follow these steps to apply for an initial STCW certificate of competency or certificate of proficiency. Find out what you need to do to meet eligibility requirements, complete training and sea service and submit your application.

We celebrated Hulita Lamasialeva Fa’anunu’s achievements on World Maritime Day last year. She embodied the 2019 theme—empowering women in the maritime community.

We want to know what you think about safety and emergency arrangements.

Our information publication scheme provides access to details about AMSA's operations.

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. 

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) governs the agreed minimum requirements for handling and transport of cargoes and dangerous goods.

Find out what marine orders are, why they exist and how they are written.

In this edition we explain correct and incorrect use of conditions.

This advice is for ship owners, operators and masters. The Safety of Navigation Focused Inspection Campaign (FIC) will run from 1 August 2021 to 30 September 2021. The campaign will apply to foreign flagged ships and Regulated Australian Vessels (RAVs) arriving at Australian ports.

AMSA no longer publishes static information on ship detentions on its website, this information is freely available and searchable through Tokyo MOU website databases.

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.

In Australia, domestic commercial vessels are regulated under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 (national law act). The National Law Act underpins the National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety (national system).

This marine notice highlights the need for shipowners, operators, masters and crews to ensure safe working arrangements are in place for any work involving height and the risk of falling.

The campaign will apply to foreign flagged ships and Regulated Australian Vessels (RAVs) arriving at Australian ports.

About the feedback we received on the National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety transition.