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.

The information you provide in your incident report plays an important part in guiding the way we improve maritime safety for everybody on the water. By reporting marine incidents to us, you are also meeting your reporting obligations under Australian laws.

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

Why you need a maritime mobile service identity (MMSI), and how to apply for one.

Exercise Barossa was a biannual oil spill response exercise conducted in Adelaide under our National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil and Other Noxious and Hazardous Substances.

On Sunday 9 January 2012, the cargo vessel the MV Tycoon broke free from its mooring at Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island, and washed against the seawall and nearby cliff face. The ship had been loading phosphate at the time of the incident.

Australia can request and receive information on vessels travelling within 1000 nautical miles off its coast.

We have issued an updated marine notice for Under Keel Clearance Management (UKCM) in Torres Strait. This notice outlines the management framework, summarises the responsibilities and reminds all coastal pilots transiting ships when they are required to use the Under Keel Clearance Management (UKCM) system.

Our regulatory program is prepared annually and contains details of planned and completed changes to our regulatory instruments.

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.

In 2023, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a revised strategy on reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

This agreement sets out the plan for how Australia will respond to marine pollution spills in Australian waters.

Our role in working with the offshore industry.

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.

A crew member’s arm was crushed between the vessel and a pylon while tending to mooring lines.

A 7.5m punt (flat bottomed vessel) used for aquaculture operations contacted a marina at speed, injuring 4 people onboard.

AMSA conducted a focused inspection campaign (FIC) on domestic commercial vessel construction barges from 1 May to 30 June 2022.

1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024 - xlsx

Keeping a radio watch saves lives. Use this guidance to set up your radio watchkeeping process and comply with Marine Order 504.

In this edition we explain how to complete a shaft survey report, tell you about changes to MARS, changes to surveyor identity cards and much more.