ECDIS familiarisation ensures that master and navigating officers are familiar with the specific make and model of the ECDIS equipment onboard (including backup) before taking charge of a navigational watch.

On Sunday 26 May 1974 the bulk carrier Sygna was involved in a major pollution incident.

There are mandatory minimum requirements for your certificates under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 (STCW).

Serious injury to pilot on class 2 vessel in poor weather conditions

We implement the regulations under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 in Australia via supporting legislation which applies to all commercial vessels.

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.

Engines, propulsion, fuel, fluid, steering and ancillary systems.

Standards for maintaining buoyancy after flooding, grounding, or collision.

On the evening of 29 May 2022, a commercial fishing vessel was on a voyage from Mackay to Cairns when the master noticed an auxiliary engine alarm. Upon lifting the engine room hatch, the master saw smoke and an orange glow and the engine room subsequently caught fire. The master quickly made the decision that they would not be able to fight the fire without jeopardising their safety and abandoned ship. An SMS risk assessment on appropriate crewing on a voyage greater than 12 hours duration should be undertaken in these situations.

On 21 August 2019, a landing barge (operated as a Class 1E and 2D) capsized while transiting from Great Mackerel Beach to Pittwater north of Sydney.

A 7.5m punt (flat bottomed vessel) used for aquaculture operations contacted a marina at speed, injuring 4 people onboard.

PurposeA reminder of the requirements to test and maintain fuel isolation valves for multi-engine installations.

We sought feedback on proposed changes to Marine Order 53 (Vessels in polar waters) 2016 (MO53). The changes will ensure the marine order aligns with the new requirements following amendments to SOLAS and the Polar Code.

Designing, selecting, and testing anchoring systems.

AMSA surveyor’s will be using the checklist below when inspecting ships as part of our safety of navigation focused inspection campaign.

Find out how domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) performed on safety, crew training, incident reporting and more during our focussed inspections campaign on towage operations.

On Sunday 9 January 2012, the cargo vessel the MV Tycoon broke free from its mooring at Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island, and washed against the seawall and nearby cliff face. The ship had been loading phosphate at the time of the incident.

Read a summary of results from the 2024 consultation on Marine Order 91 and download a copy of the full report.