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

Submissions closed on Sunday 10 November 2019.

Risk assessments help identify why, when and where lifejackets need to be worn during vessel operations. Wearing a lifejacket can help prevent a tragic incident.

The 275th meeting of the Board was held on Wednesday, 24 September 2025, in Canberra, ACT.

We are making changes to Marine Order 504 (Certificates of operation and operation requirements – national law) 2018 (Marine order 504) to clarify requirements for monitoring and accounting for passengers on domestic commercial vessels.

All ships must follow the requirements of MARPOL Annex V when discharging cargo residue.

A charter fishing vessel proceeding to a fishing spot began experiencing progressively worsening weather conditions and water ingress. Despite the owner’s warning prior to departure and passenger complaints, the master continued to the fishing destination. Strong winds and waves hampered anchoring, with water accumulating on deck through the transom door to the point of flooding. The vessel’s EPIRB was deployed, and a rescue helicopter attended, winching the master and passengers to safety.

Arrangements between government and industry under the National Plan for Maritime Environmental Emergencies to respond to shipping casualties.

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).

Some vessels do not have to be surveyed. Depending on the type of vessel, you may need to apply for approval to operate.

Ships that are not operated and managed to meet applicable standards, and relevant Australian laws, pose an increased risk to seafarers, other ships and the marine environment. These ships may be refused access or granted conditional entry to Australian ports

Get the latest insights from vessel inspections including detentions, common safety risks and compliance performance. 

Consultation on marine order 31 is closed.

It is mandatory under Australian law for certain vessels and fixed or floating platforms to carry a garbage management plan, display placards and maintain a garbage record book.

Your feedback is requested to help AMSA understand your views on current cost recovery arrangements.

Find out about AMSA’s performance and stay informed about our progress against key initiatives for 2024–25.

Our search and rescue modules provide background information as well as information about preparation, principles of how to conduct a search and rescue operation and how to respond to specific kinds of emergency.

In this edition we talk about Draft instruction for ultrasonic thickness measurement for metallic vessels, Transitional requirements, Proposed changes to SAGM Pt 2 Stability booklets and more