Rules and conditions for vessels declared to not be regulated Australian vessels.

The search and rescue (SAR) satellite system we use in the Australian SAR region.

How to use your domestic New Zealand certificate of competency to work on domestic commercial vessels in Australia.

Find out about permitted tolerance, enforcement of requirements and how we will deal with delays in transmitting the VGM electronically.

Commonwealth legislation requires a verified gross mass (VGM) be supplied before a container can be loaded onto a ship.

We have diverse teams operating all around Australia.

Find out more about complying with the national system if you are a domestic commercial vessel owner or operator.

Safeguard your vessel and operation with an active maintenance plan.

On 21 May 1990 an extensive oil slick was sighted approximately four nautical miles south-east of Cape Otway by the pilot of a light aircraft. The Australian-flagged tanker Arthur Phillip was later established as the source of the spill.

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

On 6 November 2021, while enroute, a passenger charter (Class 1E) vessel’s inadequately secured swim platform gate opened when a passenger and toddler leant against it causing the two passengers to fall into the water. The investigation identified that there was no locking bolt on the gate, no risk assessments and no passenger verification procedures in place. 

The automatic identification system (AIS) works automatically and continuously, regardless of where a vessel is located.

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.

A passenger vessel collided with an unseen rock, resulting in the injury of a passenger. The master navigated the vessel into unfamiliar waters that was not a normal or planned part of the passenger tour experience, and not authorised by the tour company. Owners and operators should ensure masters continue to conform to the planned or authorised route for the services they offer.

On the morning of 24 April 2022, a fishing vessel ran aground on a reef between Bundaberg and Torres Strait. The master and two deck hands had been underway for six days prior to the grounding. The master was fatigued, having had little sleep given the watchkeeping schedule and the competency levels of the two deckhands.

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.

Designing, selecting, and testing anchoring systems.