At 8.55 am on 10 September 1979, the tanker World Encouragement was conducting berthing operations at an Australian Oil Refinery (AOR) mooring at Kurnell in Botany Bay, New South Wales, when oil began rising to the water surface from beneath the ship.

There are other vessel permits or exemptions you may be eligible for under the national law.

A Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) is a ship-specific plan to improve the energy efficiency of a ship.

Fees associated with the delivery of the accredited marine surveyor scheme and applications for an equivalent means of compliance.

An online learning program providing an awareness of how AMSA combats pollution in the marine environment.

Find out what safety checks you need to do before carrying a fishery observer onboard. 

Understand the regulatory requirements under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessels) National Law 2012 (National Law) for unpowered barges.

Find safety equipment guides for non-survey vessels based on class and type of operation.

Lifejackets save lives

If you are no longer carrying out commercial operations outside the Australian exclusive economic zone, you can switch to being a domestic commercial vessel by surrendering your regulated Australian vessel (RAV) Certificate of survey , Maritime Labour Certificate, and load line certificate. You can then apply for domestic commercial vessel certification.

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.

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. 

Some guidance on how to start your job in Australia once you have submitted your application.

In June 2018 our Response Division delivered a workshop in Melbourne which explored how Australia could deliver an effective response to a complex maritime emergency.

Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Annex VI) allows ships to use exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) to comply with the 0.50 per cent m/m sulphur fuel oil limit that commenced on 1 January 2020

It’s important to maintain your lifejacket according to the manufacturer’s instructions so it works when you need it.

Use this form to order AMSA brochures, MARPOL placards and stickers, free of charge.

As a statutory authority, we work with the guidance of legislation.