There are laws against ship sourced pollution and those responsible may be prosecuted under state or territory legislation.

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.

The National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) provides standards for vessel design, construction and equipment for domestic commercial vessels.

All vessel owners need to do a risk assessment to work out what medical and first aid equipment to carry. Class 1, 2 and 3 survey vessels have minimum medical and first aid equipment they are required to carry.

Your New Zealand seafarer qualifications allow you to gain a Certificate of recognition for your qualification in Australia.

Before you begin operating your vessel, you must follow our requirements.

A fire occurred on a passenger vessel in a busy harbour. The master and crew took immediate action and followed emergency procedures to disembark and transfer 73 passengers safely to another ferry. The vessel’s structural and fixed firefighting systems worked effectively to contain and extinguish the fire.

You can use some STCW certificates in place of equivalent near coastal certificates to work on a domestic commercial vessel.

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.

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.

A passenger vessel collided with an unseen rock, resulting in the injury of a passenger. The master navigated the vessel into unfamiliar waters that was not a normal or planned part of the passenger tour experience, and not authorised by the tour company. Owners and operators should ensure masters continue to conform to the planned or authorised route for the services they offer.

Discover how we’re tackling the challenges around Operation Recovery—YM Efficiency.

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. 

The minimum certification and qualifications required by lecturers to deliver our approved courses for the issue of an AMSA STCW Certificate. These requirements are in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping 1978, as amended (STCW).

All domestic commercial vessels are required to have a national law certificate of survey—unless an exemption applies.

We have read and answered your questions about the new requirements for domestic commercial vessels that carry passengers.

Contains three charts of uniform waypoints—Great Barrier Reef—Great North East Channel, eastbound and westbound.

Take this short online tutorial to learn more about the automatic identification system (AIS).

Read the policy and guidelines relating to the automatic identification system (AIS) in Australia.