Under the National Plan, we have marine pollution response equipment positioned in strategic locations around Australia to support response to an incident.

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

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) governs the agreed minimum requirements for handling and transport of cargoes and dangerous goods.

National Environmental Maritime Operations (NEMO) is an incident management system used to manage and monitor national maritime environmental emergencies.

List of Certificate of safety training (full course) organisations

On the evening of 2 April 2022, a Sydney Harbour ferry was operating a regular route between Manly and Circular Quay. A group of young males were exhibiting risk taking behaviour on the deck during adverse weather conditions. One of the group jumped, stumbled, and fell overboard without a lifejacket. The master came about and followed the ferry track back at dead slow to find the person overboard (POB). The POB had the presence of mind to use his mobile phone torch light in the dark to alert the master of his presence and was rescued.

If you're planning to bring a vessel to Australia, or take a domestic commercial vessel (DCV) on an overseas voyage, you need to comply with Australian regulations and international standards.  

Download and print guidance for international certificates.

Course and study subjects for deck and engineer certificates of recognition.

We work with a range of stakeholders on education and safety in the Torres Strait.

Oil spill control agents (OSCA) may assist in oil spill clean up in Australian waters.

We implement the regulations under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 in Australia via supporting legislation which applies to all commercial vessels.

Read previous AMSA update editions from 2025

Since 2006, we have provided an emergency towing vessel in the Torres Strait and Great Barrier Reef to protect the marine environment.

An unexpected wind-shift during parasailing operations caused 2 airborne passengers to contact the water at speed. They were recovered by the vessel and returned to shore. Both passengers later informed the operator that they had sustained injuries during the event. The owner then failed to report this as a marine incident to us.

AMSA occasionally seeks help and support from private companies to deliver its Search and Rescue (SAR) services.

On Sunday 9 January 2012, the cargo vessel the MV Tycoon broke free from its mooring at Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island, and washed against the seawall and nearby cliff face. The ship had been loading phosphate at the time of the incident.

Contains three charts of uniform waypoints for the Great Barrier Reef—Hydrographers passage.