A hire vessel capsized after it was beached on a sandbank in a designated no-go area. The incident shows why hirers and participants must follow safety briefings and emergency plans.

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.

The type of EPIRB you need depends on vessel class, length, flotation and operating area.

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. 

Key trends and safety insights from marine incidents reported to us in 2025 and trend analysis for previous years.

This safety lesson describes how experienced Queensland prawn trawl fisher, Tony Sterling, developed an inpull winch that pulls in both sides of the trawl gear at the same time. The winch has delivered major safety benefits because crew no longer need to go out onto the booms.

If you undertake towing operations with your vessel, there are unique risks that you must consider within your risk assessment as part of the safety management system.

In accessing myAMSA, you agree to be bound and abide by these Terms of Use.

We collect and analyse information from reported marine incidents to improve safety across the maritime industry.

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.

The Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and Coral Sea are unique, diverse and among the most well-protected waters in the world.

Find out what marine orders are, why they exist and how they are written.

In this edition we talk about marine surveyor accreditation renewals, a marine safety incident and a safety recall notice.

Prepare and submit your application for a role with us.

In this edition we talk about Marine Surveyor Accreditation Guidance Manual – Part 2 , we include a Case Study about Compliance action on an AMS’s accreditation and decks on domestic commercial vessels

Our AMSA Connect team are ready to assist you over the phone, by email, or at one of our regional offices.