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

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the main international convention for addressing ship sourced pollution.

Figure 1Figure 2Figure 3Figure 4Figure 5

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) governs the agreed minimum requirements for handling and transport of cargoes and dangerous goods.

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. 

A deficiency notice uses codes to show non-compliance found during a Port State control (PSC) inspection.

In this edition we explain correct and incorrect use of conditions.

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.

These general exemptions are now superseded or repealed. Superseded and repealed exemptions may affect how the national system works for you.

On the evening of 29 May 2022, a commercial fishing vessel was on a voyage from Mackay to Cairns when the master noticed an auxiliary engine alarm. Upon lifting the engine room hatch, the master saw smoke and an orange glow and the engine room subsequently caught fire. The master quickly made the decision that they would not be able to fight the fire without jeopardising their safety and abandoned ship. An SMS risk assessment on appropriate crewing on a voyage greater than 12 hours duration should be undertaken in these situations.

Our process for conducting Registered training organisation evaluations.

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.

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.

In this edition we give guidance on managing some of the changes mentioned in Schedule 1 of MO503, explain electrical plan approval requirements, and more.

The following vessels are our declared off-shore industry vessels and trading vessels that work in inland and near coastal waters.

Providing 24/7 search and rescue (SAR) service for Australia.

In this edition we talk about audits and application assessments.

The FOI disclosure list describes the documents disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act, and the date of disclosure.