AMSA Connect phone services may have longer wait times on Monday 1 June 2026 while we operate with reduced staffing due to the Reconciliation Day Public Holiday in Canberra. Our search and rescue team will continue to operate during this time.
Our 24/7 high tech search and rescue capabilities allow us to respond quickly to people in distress across our region. We use advanced response and satellite technology, contracted equipment, an emergency towage vessel, and four jet aircraft to respond to calls for help.
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.
Australia has played a key role in strengthening international protections for seafarers at the 5th meeting of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) Special Tripartite Committee (STC), held in Geneva in April.
The Strategic Plan builds on previous strategies and also takes into account the commitments made in 2014 by the Australian and Queensland governments in their Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan, and the North-East Shipping Management Plan.
In Issue 12, read about how the situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on seafarer mental health and wellbeing and ways of managing mental health at sea.
Exemption 44 exempts owners of domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) from the requirements of Marine Order 503 (Certificates of survey–national law) 2018 to hold an engine international air pollution prevention (EIAPP) certificate in order to be issued a certificate of survey.
Advice to vessel owners and masters for the Focused Inspection Campaign (FIC) on passenger (class 1) vessel tenders in Western Australia and Northern Territory.
This exemption is for owners of certain vessels who may not want to obtain a certificate of survey, or comply with certain conditions on a certificate of survey.