We are responsible for handling health and safety issues for personnel on prescribed ships that are engaged in trade or commerce on international and domestic voyages.

Under Marine Order 503 a transitional vessel is an existing vessel that has: 

This five-year outlook of future action covers specific industry issues, international developments, priorities for standards, and legislative expiries.

Do a lifejacket risk assessment. Your safety, and the safety of your passengers and crew, depends on it. Wearing a lifejacket can help prevent a tragic incident.

This feedback report summarises submissions on proposed changes to NSCV C1 – Wheelhouse visibility, escape, accommodation and personal safety.

We have approved these courses if you want to qualify for a certificate under international training conventions.

This marine notice draws attention to responsible navigational practices which masters and officers in charge of a navigational watch on ships operating in Australian waters should follow.

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.

Since 2006, we have provided an emergency towing vessel in the Torres Strait and Great Barrier Reef to protect the marine environment.

Fees related to registration on the Australian General Shipping Register and Australian International Shipping Register.

This marine notice is to remind livestock shippers, vessel owners and operators, and the masters of livestock vessels of their obligations to provide and use accurate information in the calculation of vessel stability.

If you are an Australian seafarer, you can use an AMSA approved task book to record your sea service, training and experience on board a vessel.

During the COVID-19 pandemic many seafarers have played an essential role.

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

Read a transcript of the webinar 'Managing operational stability risks in commercial fishing' held on 19 February 2026.

In this edition, we seek your feedback on national standards for fire safety on commercial vessels, talk about securing liferafts, share a case study about accreditation, an electrical fire incident caused by a portable electrical tool battery, and our new updated forms for surveyors.

Electronic visual distress signals are not a substitute for conventional pyrotechnic flares.

During a private charter a passenger fell down a stairwell and sustained serious injuries. The area around the top of the stairwell had a recess that reduced the floor area slightly and could be missed during movements. The stairs themselves were not found to be contributory to this incident. However, the spiral design proved problematic for providing post-incident medical assistance for the passenger. Any area that may present a safety risk to passengers onboard a vessel should be risk assessed, with appropriate control measures put in place to ensure passenger safety.