Latest standards for wheelhouse visibility, emergency escapes, crew and passenger accommodation, and personal safety on domestic commercial vessels. Includes updated requirements for evacuation, signage and preventing falls overboard.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is the Commonwealth statutory body with responsibility for establishing and maintaining marine aids to navigation (AtoN) pursuant to section 190 of the Navigation Act 2012 (Cth).

You may need to pay a fee, levy or charge, depending on what action you need to do. Find out about our current levies, fees, and payment options.

Payment options for marine levies, fees, or charges.

Instructions for accredited surveyors to conduct surveys and inspections of domestic commercial vessels.

Trajectory models can help predict spill behaviour in the marine environment. If you are from one of our National Plan partner agencies, you can request a spill trajectory model when an oil or chemical spill occurs.

We want everyone to be able to access and use our websites.

Standards for maintaining stability during day-to-day operations while the hull is intact.

Follow these steps if you wish to operate your vessel commercially outside of the Australian Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ).

AMSA surveyor’s will be using the checklist below when inspecting ships as part of our livestock ships focused inspection campaign.

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.

All domestic commercial vessels under the national law are required to meet design, construction, stability and equipment standards.