Australia has an interest in ensuring that the ships which visit our ports and transit our waters are seaworthy, have competent crews, and are able to safely navigate through our sensitive marine areas.

Dispersants can be effective response tools. Use of dispersants is dependent on many factors including timing, properties of the oil, and logistics.

This safety alert aims to raise awareness of the risk involved with getting on and off domestic commercial vessels.

Read a summary of results from the consultation on Exemption 24 - Marine Safety (Emergency service vessels) and download a copy of the full report.

On 21 May 1990 an extensive oil slick was sighted approximately four nautical miles south-east of Cape Otway by the pilot of a light aircraft. The Australian-flagged tanker Arthur Phillip was later established as the source of the spill.

NOPSEMA has been working with state authorities to improve and streamline consultation practices within the offshore petroleum industry, and provide advice on regulatory requirements for offshore petroleum activities.

On 14 July 1975 the Marine Operations Centre in Canberra was alerted that the oil tanker Princess Anne Marie had sustained a large crack in its hull approximately 300 miles off Western Australian.

January - March 2026There were 336 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels in Quarter 1 of 2026. Of these, 45 were serious and 1 very serious.

Accredited government and private surveyors, and recognised organisations who are qualified to conduct surveys on domestic commercial vessels.

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.

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Highlights the importance of maintaining rescue boats in good working order ready for immediate use

Join our team and be part of a culture built on respect, collaboration, and a shared purpose.

Installing and programming an automatic identification systems (AIS).

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

The Sanko Harvest struck a reef off Esperance, Western Australia on 14 February 1991, and broke up over the next fortnight.

Find out about AMSA’s performance and stay informed about our progress against key initiatives for 2024–25.

The Pacific Quest was found guilty of discharging an oily mixture from a ship into the sea near Border Island, Queensland on 25 December 2002.