At approximately 5.30 am WA time on Friday 21 August 2009 the Montara Wellhead mobile drilling unit, located 140 miles offshore from the north-west Australian coast, had an uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons from one of the platform wells. Consequently oil escaped to the surface and gaseous hydrocarbons escaped into the atmosphere.

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.

A charter fishing vessel proceeding to a fishing spot began experiencing progressively worsening weather conditions and water ingress. Despite the owner’s warning prior to departure and passenger complaints, the master continued to the fishing destination. Strong winds and waves hampered anchoring, with water accumulating on deck through the transom door to the point of flooding. The vessel’s EPIRB was deployed, and a rescue helicopter attended, winching the master and passengers to safety.

This page outlines the types of survey reports and details an AMSA assessor looks for when reviewing an application for approval.

The content of the Engineer cadet program including certificate and short courses, qualifying sea service and medical fitness.

This heritage management plan concerns the lighthouse and surrounding land.

Standards for class 1 fast craft operating in sheltered waters or under 35m in equivalent length.

The mooring snagged on an unseen underwater object and the chain was pulled out of the bow roller and down the side of the vessel. The vessel capsized with no resulting injuries.

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

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.

This safety lesson describes how experienced Queensland prawn trawl fisher, Tony Sterling, developed an inpull winch that pulls in both sides of the trawl gear at the same time. The winch has delivered major safety benefits because crew no longer need to go out onto the booms.

Australia is a part of the International Maritime Organization — maritime safety and marine pollution prevention are more effective when carried out internationally.

We are no longer publishing the name of the certificate holder on a certificate of survey or Exemption 02 (non-survey) and Exemption 40 (Class C restricted operations) approvals.

Using an advanced under keel clearance management (UKCM) system will reduce your chances of running aground.

Instructions for accredited surveyors to conduct surveys and inspections of domestic commercial vessels.