January - March 2026There were 335 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels in Quarter 1 of 2026. Of these, 44 were serious and 1 very serious.

If you are serving or have served in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as a Maritime Warfare Officer, this information explains how to qualify for an International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarer (STCW) certificate of competency for a: Chief mate Master less than 3000 GT Master

Look out for marine fauna and report any collisions.

Learn how non-shipborne AIS units are managed and find out what’s required to apply to operate a base station or AtoN in Australia.

If you are a Traditional Inhabitant of the Torres Strait and use your TIB to catch seafood and sell it, your boat is being used as a domestic commercial vessel. This page explains what that means, when you can use the TIB-specific exemption, and the steps you must follow to operate safely and legally.

We are responsible for ensuring there is a consistent approach to the use of AIS on offshore structures and facilities. Find out what we will ask you when you apply.

In this edition we talk about Lightship declarations and the law, new surveyor accreditation guidance manual part 2 now available and electrical issues able to be identified by non-electrical periodic surveyors.

We have diverse teams operating all around Australia.

On 16 March 2022, a class 2B landing barge collided with a starboard channel marker. The investigation identified that the previous swing engineer did not inform the incoming engineer that the port main engine cooling water suction valve was shut. After getting underway, the engine began to overheat. This distracted the master from monitoring the vessel’s intended track. The vessel’s safety management system did not have an appropriate engineering handover procedure.

The Maritine Agencies Forum (MAF) provides a forum for collaboration on maritime safety and other issues.

Find out the requirements you need to fulfill to obtain an international endorsement.

The inaugural Australian VTS Award saw Brisbane VTS operators Todd Stewart and Ricky Blake commended for their actions, which had a profound impact on the outcome of two men and a young boy lost at sea.

1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024 - xlsx

In the early afternoon of 30 May 2022, a hire and drive sailing catamaran began to take on water before sinking shortly after departing the marina. Onboard was the charterer, their family and a briefer who was in control of the vessel. The investigation established that following recent maintenance, an inspection plate had not been replaced, allowing water ingress. It was further identified that the charter company’s maintenance procedures did not suitably document handing over and/or tagging of removed items during maintenance work.

Residual current devices minimise the risk of a person receiving an electric shock or being electrocuted when using plug-in electrical equipment on board vessels.

The cargo ship Pacific Adventurer lost upwards of 270 tonnes of heavy fuel oil when holed on its port side while en route to Brisbane from Newcastle.

On 21 July 1991 Greek tanker Kirki lost its bow off the coast of Western Australia, resulting in a major pollution incident.

About the feedback we received on the National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety transition.