Read a transcript of the webinar 'Simplified safety management system' held on 9 April 2025.

If you own or operate a domestic commercial vessel in Australia, you are required to obtain a certificate of operation before you operate the vessel.

Read about the results of the consultation on amendments to Marine Order 25, which updates requirements for the carriage and testing of life-saving equipment.

Find out more about complying with the national system if you are a domestic commercial vessel owner or operator.

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.

Tests for establishing and verifying vessel stability.

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

In this edition we give guidance on managing some of the changes mentioned in Schedule 1 of MO503, explain electrical plan approval requirements, and more.

Operators of Regulated Australian Vessels (RAV) and Foreign Vessels, as well as the shippers of livestock, have obligations when loading and transporting livestock from Australia.

Accurate weight declaration for cargo containers is a critical safety issue. Shippers must provide a verified gross mass for containers.

This safety alert provides guidance to operators of domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) on risks associated with safety management systems inadequately considering electrical systems and other potential fire hazards.

From 1 July 2018, new survey requirements for domestic commercial vessels apply. This includes changes to marine order 503 to apply the new periodic survey requirements to all vessels required to be in survey—existing, transitional and new vessels.

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

A super yacht or white boat are colloquial terms for a large yacht.

On Wednesday 2 August AMSA will be hosting a Safety Management System workshop in Airlie Beach.

AMSA port State control inspectors will be using the checklist below when inspecting ships as part of our cargo securing focused inspection campaign. Use this checklist to prepare for the inspection, and to help you ensure your cargo is secure. Below is a sample of the focused inspection campaign checklist.

Find out about permitted tolerance, enforcement of requirements and how we will deal with delays in transmitting the VGM electronically.