Operators and crew of these types of operations face unique safety challenges and risk.

A crew member’s arm was crushed between the vessel and a pylon while tending to mooring lines.

Our stance is that shipping containers lost from ships are a cause of pollution in the marine environment.

If special circumstances mean that you require an extension of time for your vessel's periodic survey, you can make an application under for Marine Safety (Periodic survey, equipment certification and compass adjustment) Exemption (Exemption 06).

Find out about AMSA’s strategic priorities and stay informed about our objectives, challenges and planned activities for 2025-26 to 2028-29.

Our SAR observer program trains SES volunteers to look for signs of people in distress from the air.

Our regulatory program is prepared annually and contains details of planned and completed changes to our regulatory instruments.

We administer the national law, regulations and marine orders in implementing the national system.

We provide a range of geographic information as digital maps and spatial data sets. This visual geographic data is used to support search and rescue, pollution response, vessel tracking, and navigation in Australian waters. Some data access may require you to pay a fee.

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

A passenger ferry was returning from its scheduled service when an unanticipated wave raised its stern and caused its bow to dive under the water. Water rushed over the bow and a significant amount came through the forward portside access door and into the passenger compartment. The master immediately reduced speed, which expelled most of the water overboard. The forward portside access door had been left open by a crew member who was attempting to alleviate sea sickness among some passengers. The action of leaving the door open during the voyage was contrary to the vessel’s survey requirements. Signage requiring the door to be kept closed when underway was reportedly not seen by crew members. This resulted in water entering the vessel creating a potentially unsafe situation.

This marine notice aims to raise awareness of the importance of the safe operation and maintenance of hatch covers and related equipment on board vessels.

The International safety management code (ISM code) governs the safe operation of ships and pollution prevention. We are responsible for issuing ISM code certification for Australian registered vessels, however AMSA has authorised recognised organisations to conduct this service.

If you hold a valid STCW certificate issued by another country and want to work on an Australian-flagged vessel, you need a certificate of recognition (CoR). In some countries this is called a recognition endorsement.

Apply for acceptance on the oil spill control agents register.