AMSA Connect phone services may have longer wait times on Monday 1 June 2026 while we operate with reduced staffing due to the Reconciliation Day Public Holiday in Canberra. Our search and rescue team will continue to operate during this time.
On 22 January 1982 at approximately 9 pm, the oil tanker Esso Gippsland was in the process of loading at Port Stanvac jetty, South Australia, when a large quantity of industrial fuel oil leaked from the air vent and ullage port of its no.2 starboard tank.
On Monday 26 July 1999, the crude oil tanker the MV Torungen (25 tonnes), was secured in the offshore Varanus Island Marine loading terminal, located approximately 4.2 kilometres north-east of Varanus Island, Western Australia.
Guidance on revalidating Australian certificates of competency and proficiency issued in compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
Due to amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 (STCW), refresher training is required for some certificates.
We provide a range of geographic information as digital maps and spatial data sets. This visual geographic data is used to support search and rescue, pollution response, vessel tracking, and navigation in Australian waters. Some data access may require you to pay a fee.
Domestic commercial vessels must have the right certificates of competency to operate. Check you have the required certificates and make sure your details are up to date.
We have put in place a new exemption allowing masters and crew of class 4 houseboats up to 24 metres in length to perform certain activities when not on hire, providing they hold at least a Coxswain Grade 3 certificate of competency and meet other conditions under the exemption.
This certificate allows you to perform the duties or functions of Watchkeeper deck officer on ships of any gross tonnage in any operating area and Able seafarer – Deck duties or functions.
This certificate allows you to perform the duties or functions of an Electro-technical officer on ships powered by main propulsion machinery of any propulsion power in any operating area.