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 28 July 1988, the livestock carrier Al Qurain struck a wharf heavily while berthing in Portland, Victoria and severely ruptured a side fuel tank. An estimated 184 tonnes of fuel oil escaped into Portland Harbour.
This safety lesson describes how experienced Queensland prawn trawl fisher, Tony Sterling, developed an inpull winch that pulls in both sides of the trawl gear at the same time. The winch has delivered major safety benefits because crew no longer need to go out onto the booms.
Australia has played a key role in strengthening international protections for seafarers at the 5th meeting of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) Special Tripartite Committee (STC), held in Geneva in April.
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.
If you have an offer of employment on a ship registered on the Australian International Shipping Register (AISR), you may need a certificate of equivalence (CoE). A CoE allows you to work on an AISR-registered ship using your overseas STCW certificate, without an AMSA-issued certificate of competency or certificate of recognition.
In this edition we explain the criteria for issuing temporary permits under exemption 7, we give details of the reports that are needed when a regulated Australian vessel becomes a domestic commercial vessel, we give you a handy tour of the AMSA organisation, and more.
Find out how to apply for, renew or manage your STCW international certificate to work on Australian-registered vessels in international waters. Includes training, exemptions and recognition of overseas qualifications.
Discover how AMSA supports safe and sustainable maritime operations through fair, risk-based regulation. This statement explains our approach to safety, compliance, engagement and international obligations.
The Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) produces and publishes Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) covering Australian, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Australian Antarctic Territory waters.