Our partnerships

Examples of our relationships and partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations.

Aids to Navigation (AtoN) and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Agreement 

In November 2019 AMSA entered into an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Agreement with the Kaurareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (KNTAC). This agreement covers the protection and management of all Aboriginal cultural heritage at 10 AtoN sites. The agreement details the processes to be followed during works on site, with works being classified as either low or high impact activities. The agreement also outlines requirements for engaging local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers when relevant. The Kaurareg community are from the lower Western Islands of the Torres Strait.

Torres Strait Marine Safety Program (TSMSP)

The TSMSP began in 2006 and was a joint initiative of organisations including the Torres Strait Regional Authority, Maritime Safety Queensland, and AMSA. The Queensland Police Service and National Maritime Safety Authority of Papua New Guinea became program partners in later years. Several successful projects have been implemented and the program is ongoing.

Torres Strait Indigenous Commercial Fishers Education Project (Wapil)

In May 2021, AMSA commenced the Torres Strait Indigenous Commercial Fishers Education Project which aims to develop and deliver guidance and education to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander commercial fishers throughout the Torres Strait region on regulatory requirements that relate to their commercial vessel operations.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison and Maritime Safety Education

AMSA identified the need to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, organisations, and communities on maritime safety education. This culminated in the establishment of the Advisor Safety Liaison role focusing specifically on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and based in Cairns, which was successfully recruited in October 2022.  

National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) 

AMSA’s Vessel Operations team engages at a national level with key stakeholders with quarterly meetings now set up with the NIAA. This provides a platform to discuss maritime safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander seafarers at a national level and ensure we continue to work collaboratively in this area.