Our search and rescue incidents from 2015–16.

An unexpected wind-shift during parasailing operations caused 2 airborne passengers to contact the water at speed. They were recovered by the vessel and returned to shore. Both passengers later informed the operator that they had sustained injuries during the event. The owner then failed to report this as a marine incident to us.

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.

Reporting general marine pollution helps us to respond quickly to an incident to minimise damage to the environment.

The North-East Shipping Management Plan identifies actions based on information about the nature of shipping activity in the north-east region as well as the experience and knowledge of members of the North-East Water Space Management Working Group (NE WSM WG).

An index to guide you through the supporting documents for the National Plan.

This trial will support ongoing work to divert recyclable waste from international ships to domestic recycling, so it doesn’t end up in landfill.

On 3 August 1999 the Laura D’Amato, a 96,121 DWT Italian registered oil tanker, was berthed alongside at the Shell Gore Bay terminal in Sydney discharging its cargo of Murban light crude oil.

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.

At 8.55 am on 10 September 1979, the tanker World Encouragement was conducting berthing operations at an Australian Oil Refinery (AOR) mooring at Kurnell in Botany Bay, New South Wales, when oil began rising to the water surface from beneath the ship.

In rough weather, early in the morning of 24 May, about 50 containers were lost overboard from the Singapore-flagged container ship APL England. Read our regular updates.

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. 

Our Board is appointed by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

Some vessels do not have to be surveyed. Depending on the type of vessel, you may need to apply for approval to operate.

Marine order 504