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).

On 3 August 1999 the Laura D’Amato, a 96,121 DWT Italian registered oil tanker, was berthed alongside at the Shell Gore Bay terminal in Sydney discharging its cargo of Murban light crude oil.

The minimum certification and qualifications required by lecturers to deliver our approved courses for the issue of an AMSA STCW Certificate. These requirements are in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping 1978, as amended (STCW).

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

The Australian states and territories work with us to coordinate an effective search and rescue (SAR) service.

We have released some safety guidance for commercial parasailing operators. Parasailing vessels are considered domestic commercial vessels under the National law.

We are responsible for approving coastal pilotage training providers and courses.

Become a coastal pilot and contribute to the safety of ships in the Torres Strait and Great Barrier Reef.

Discover how we’re tackling the challenges around Operation Recovery—YM Efficiency.

Getting hooked-up is one of the most dangerous situations you can experience on a trawler. Be prepared. Knowing what you and your crew need to do can save lives.

Read a transcript of the webinar 'Managing operational stability risks in commercial fishing' held on 19 February 2026.

In this safety lesson, veteran trawl fisher Mark Millward explains what he has learned from involvement in person overboard incidents. Mark has operated in the Queensland East Coast and Torres Strait Prawn Trawl Fisheries for over 40 years.

In rough weather, early in the morning of 24 May, about 50 containers were lost overboard from the Singapore-flagged container ship APL England. Read our regular updates.

Find out how domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) performed on safety, training, risk assessment and more during our focussed inspections campaign on hazardous gases.

Our search and rescue incidents from 2016–17.

How to comply with low sulphur fuel requirements.

Find out what was discussed at decarbonisation roundtables attended by shipping industry representatives. By hosting these roundtables, AMSA aims to foster collaboration in the Australian shipping industry as it transitions away from carbon-based fuels.

Find out how domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) performed on safety, crew training, incident reporting and more during our focussed inspections campaign on towage operations.