On 6 October 2022, two crewmembers were setting cray pots on the port and starboard side of a fishing vessel. During one setting, the crewmember’s foot (on the port side) became entangled in the cray pot’s rope dragging them over the side. The second crewmember raised the alarm and the master immediately stopped the vessel and instructed the crewmember to attach the line to the pot winch. The master and crewmember, having conducted regular emergency procedure drills, quickly raised the person overboard (PoB) via the pot winch, deployed the overboard ladder, and cut the rope. The PoB sustained some water in the lungs but was otherwise unharmed.

Our latest statement about data submitted to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).

How to work out if your current qualifications can be used to support your application for a domestic certificate of competency.

As manager of Australia’s National Plan, we have a fixed wing aerial dispersant capability as a key component of Australia’s capacity to respond to oil spills in the marine environment.

Read previous AMSA update editions from 2025

As the national standard is updated, generic equivalent standards (GES) are being superseded.

Notify AMSA as soon as possible after becoming aware of an incident

In June 2018 our Response Division delivered a workshop in Melbourne which explored how Australia could deliver an effective response to a complex maritime emergency.

We have a joint memorandum of understanding (MOU) with state and territory work health and safety (WHS) regulators. The MOU supports worker safety at sea.

The Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait and Coral Sea are unique, diverse and among the most well-protected waters in the world.

As a flag State, AMSA are responsible for making sure Australian ships comply with relevant legislation/s.

We work with a range of stakeholders on education and safety in the Torres Strait.

Get the latest insights from vessel inspections including detentions, common safety risks and compliance performance. 

A unique identifier—also sometimes called a unique vessel identifier—is like a number plate for your vessel.

Trajectory models can help predict spill behaviour in the marine environment. If you are from one of our National Plan partner agencies, you can request a spill trajectory model when an oil or chemical spill occurs.

There are a number of certificates and permits you need if you are operating a domestic commercial vessel.