We maintain a database which assists us to calculate the risk factor of a vessel. This lets us target elevated risk vessels for inspection. 

AMSA’s mission is ensuring safe vessel operations, combating marine pollution and rescuing people in distress.

In this edition we talk about audits and application assessments, compass adjustment requirements, uncrewed barges and more.

In some circumstances, it is mandatory to make a MARPOL report for certain pollution incidents.

Following a report to AMSA, and subsequent investigation, the Pax Phoenix was fined for illegally discharging oily water into the marine environment near Holbourne Island, Queensland on 2 September 2001.

In this edition we talk about audits and application assessments.

Dispersants can be effective response tools. Use of dispersants is dependent on many factors including timing, properties of the oil, and logistics.

There are a range of chemical tools which can reduce the harmful effects of an oil spill.

At AMSA, we believe in supporting you to be the best version of yourself.

Monitoring an oil spill is necessary to address concerns raised about its effects and the impact of the associated cleanup response.

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.

The inaugural Australian VTS Award saw Brisbane VTS operators Todd Stewart and Ricky Blake commended for their actions, which had a profound impact on the outcome of two men and a young boy lost at sea.

A Class 1 passenger vessel’s port engine caught fire whilst northeast of Fraser Island with 82 passengers and crew onboard. The investigation found that regular planned engine maintenance, in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications, was not in place at the time of the incident. The crew’s response to the incident was immediate and effective. The transfer of the 77 passengers to a nearby vessel, which attended the distress call within 10 minutes, was undertaken quickly and effectively by the master and crew.

Australia is a part of the International Maritime Organization — maritime safety and marine pollution prevention are more effective when carried out internationally.

A summary of discharge standards under MARPOL and local regulations if you are operating your vessel in Australian waters.

We are responsible for providing navigational systems and services to facilitate the safe and efficient navigation of ships within Australian waters.

ECDIS familiarisation ensures that master and navigating officers are familiar with the specific make and model of the ECDIS equipment onboard (including backup) before taking charge of a navigational watch.

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