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.

It is mandatory under Australian law for certain vessels and fixed or floating platforms to carry a garbage management plan, display placards and maintain a garbage record book.

Most services for operators and crew of domestic commercial vessels are now provided by us instead of Marine and Safety Tasmania.

Find out about AMSA’s performance and stay informed about our progress against key initiatives for 2024–25.

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

The 273rd meeting of the Board was held on Wednesday, 25 June 2025 in Canberra, ACT.

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.

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.

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

Get your Engineer certificate of competency revalidated before it expires.

All domestic commercial vessels are required to have a national law certificate of survey—unless an exemption applies.

If you own or operate a domestic commercial vessel in Australia, you are required to obtain a certificate of operation before you operate the vessel.