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

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.

We sought feedback on proposed changes to Marine Order 53 (Vessels in polar waters) 2016 (MO53). The changes will ensure the marine order aligns with the new requirements following amendments to SOLAS and the Polar Code.

These fees are for certificates of competency, certificates of operation, certificates of survey, the surveyor accreditation scheme, and National Law exemptions.

A super yacht or white boat are colloquial terms for a large yacht.

Reminding those who own, operate or are on board Australian ships, about offences under Australian sanction laws. The information has been prepared by the Australian Sanctions Office.

A charter vessel with passengers was conducting a cruise around Sydney Harbour when it narrowly missed an unlit runabout at night. The vessel ran aground, and two attempts to tow the vessel off the sandbank were unsuccessful. The investigation found that the master did not risk-assess the route and respective conditions. The vessel safety management system provided the master with no clear direction on safe routes to follow. The command, control, and communication with and between the crew in relation to emergency procedures and response was ineffective.

On 28 July 1988, the livestock carrier Al Qurain struck a wharf heavily while berthing in Portland, Victoria and severely ruptured a side fuel tank. An estimated 184 tonnes of fuel oil escaped into Portland Harbour.

Get your Master or deck certificate of competency revalidated before it expires.

How to get a Watchkeeper deck certificate of competency if you are a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Maritime warfare officer or Rating.

AMSA conducted a focused inspection campaign (FIC) on domestic commercial vessel construction barges from 1 May to 30 June 2022.

On the evening of 29 May 2022, a commercial fishing vessel was on a voyage from Mackay to Cairns when the master noticed an auxiliary engine alarm. Upon lifting the engine room hatch, the master saw smoke and an orange glow and the engine room subsequently caught fire. The master quickly made the decision that they would not be able to fight the fire without jeopardising their safety and abandoned ship. An SMS risk assessment on appropriate crewing on a voyage greater than 12 hours duration should be undertaken in these situations.

NOPSEMA has been working with state authorities to improve and streamline consultation practices within the offshore petroleum industry, and provide advice on regulatory requirements for offshore petroleum activities.

Download a list of DCVs that hold a certificate of survey or exemption here.

During a private charter a passenger fell down a stairwell and sustained serious injuries. The area around the top of the stairwell had a recess that reduced the floor area slightly and could be missed during movements. The stairs themselves were not found to be contributory to this incident. However, the spiral design proved problematic for providing post-incident medical assistance for the passenger. Any area that may present a safety risk to passengers onboard a vessel should be risk assessed, with appropriate control measures put in place to ensure passenger safety.

On 6 October 2022, two crewmembers were setting cray pots on the port and starboard side of a fishing vessel. During one setting, the crewmember’s foot (on the port side) became entangled in the cray pot’s rope dragging them over the side. The second crewmember raised the alarm and the master immediately stopped the vessel and instructed the crewmember to attach the line to the pot winch. The master and crewmember, having conducted regular emergency procedure drills, quickly raised the person overboard (PoB) via the pot winch, deployed the overboard ladder, and cut the rope. The PoB sustained some water in the lungs but was otherwise unharmed.