Domestic commercial fishing vessels may transit between the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around Norfolk island and the Australian mainland.

AMSA and the Bureau of Meteorology provide vessels with maritime safety information (MSI) about hazards and foreseeable dangers to safe navigation through Australia's marine environment.

The purpose of this notice is to remind vessel owners, operators and masters of:

In this edition we provide advice on how to send us large files, what to do if you receive a complaint about a survey, provide guidance on battery safety, and more.

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. 

You can submit your completed Seafarer form 419 or Certificate of competency application form 426 at participating Australia Post retail outlets.

This page contains a list of past changes to Marine Orders and International Maritime Organization (IMO) resolutions.

The information you provide in your incident report plays an important part in guiding the way we improve maritime safety for everybody on the water. By reporting marine incidents to us, you are also meeting your reporting obligations under Australian laws.

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.

Risk assessments help identify why, when and where lifejackets need to be worn during vessel operations. Wearing a lifejacket can help prevent a tragic incident.

If you have an offer of employment on a ship registered on the Australian International Shipping Register (AISR), you may need a certificate of equivalence (CoE). A CoE allows you to work on an AISR-registered ship using your overseas STCW certificate, without an AMSA-issued certificate of competency or certificate of recognition.

This agreement sets out the plan for how Australia will respond to marine pollution spills in Australian waters.

A 2C rescue vessel was preparing to depart a river entrance bar with 11 people onboard. The observed sea state was a wave height (breaking) of 1.4 to 1.8 metres. The entrance bar had a moderate to high level of congestion of jet skis and surfboard riders positioned within the aids to navigation departure leads. The vessel came within very close proximity to surfers on 3 occasions whilst negotiating the breaking sea conditions. The vessel then broached upon a wave resulting in the vessel heeling to port and becoming unable to be controlled due to the force of the wave.

This information is to draw the attention of ship owners and operators to the ongoing prohibition of asbestos on ships, noting that Australian law requires operators to take all reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of employees and contractors while at work.

Our scholarship program supports the development of skills in the maritime industry and builds our brand as an employer of choice.

Highlights the importance of maintaining rescue boats in good working order ready for immediate use

On the evening of 2 April 2022, a Sydney Harbour ferry was operating a regular route between Manly and Circular Quay. A group of young males were exhibiting risk taking behaviour on the deck during adverse weather conditions. One of the group jumped, stumbled, and fell overboard without a lifejacket. The master came about and followed the ferry track back at dead slow to find the person overboard (POB). The POB had the presence of mind to use his mobile phone torch light in the dark to alert the master of his presence and was rescued.

You have a responsibility not to pollute the sea, and to be aware of the laws about oil and garbage pollution from vessels, including fishing vessels.