Survey vessels in these classes are required to carry a Scale F first aid kit on board: 1B, 1C (with unberthed passengers), 1D (with berthed passengers), 1E (with berthed passengers), 2B, 2C, 3B and 3C.

In this edition we provide advice on how to send us large files, what to do if you receive a complaint about a survey, provide guidance on battery safety, and more.

The Vessel Traffic Services Advisory Group (VTSAG) discusses matters relating to Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) in Australia.

Find out how we use, assess and govern AI responsibly. This statement aligns with the Digital Transformation Agency’s (DTA) Policy for the responsible use of AI in government.

There are mandatory minimum requirements for your certificates under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 (STCW).

The 274th meeting of the Board was held on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, in Fremantle, Western Australia.

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.

The oil spill from the Oceanic Grandeur in Torres Strait in March 1970 highlighted Australia’s lack of preparedness at the time to deal with a major oil spill in the marine environment.

Insights from 2025 vessel inspections including detentions, common safety risks and compliance performance

We are responsible for responding to marine oil spills and supporting the National Plan for Maritime Emergency partners in doing the same within their jurisdictions.

An explosion occurred on a charter fishing vessel whilst berthed. The investigation identified that the ignition source was a lithium-ion battery that was not holding charge connected to a battery charger in a way that bypassed the battery management safety system. The vessel was beyond repair following the explosion.

Mohammed Taslim is passionate about marine education in the Pacific and has his sights set on promoting e-learning study for seafarers in Fiji in the not-too-distant future.

The National Plan for Maritime Environmental Emergencies (the National Plan) was reviewed in 2023-2024. The review made 11 recommendations.