Published on Australian Maritime Safety Authority (https://www.amsa.gov.au)
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We have released our National Compliance Plan (NCP) for 2024-25, which details the focus areas for our compliance activities over the next 12 months.
Priorities relevant to domestic commercial vessels include:
Feedback submissions close soon – midnight, Sunday 28 July 2024.
The proposed changes aim to improve the safety outcomes of the safety management system requirements and making them easier to understand, fit for purpose and practical for Australia's diverse range of domestic commercial vessels.
We are seeking your feedback across a range of proposed changes, including a proposal to expand the existing requirement for 10-hours rest in each 24-hour period to all masters and crew working on domestic commercial vessels.
The proposed changes will affect all owners, operators, and masters of domestic commercial vessels.
The proposed simplified safety management system will apply to smaller, less complex vessels.
A 'hire and drive' operator was fined $3,756 for chartering a domestic commercial vessel (DCV) on Sydney Harbour without the required certification.
The vessel was chartered out as a class 2 (non-passenger) vessel, with a skipper, when it only held certification as a class 4 (hire and drive) vessel.
All vessels that are required to hold a certificate of survey must comply with survey requirements for the relevant service category.
Headaches, vomiting, and dizziness are all symptoms a person may experience when exposed to hazardous gases. These symptoms are often mistaken as seasickness or intoxication.
Highly concentrated exposure to carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide or hydrogen sulphide can cause serious harm or death in only a matter of minutes. These gases can accumulate from sources commonly found on a vessel, including sewage tanks, CO2 cylinders used to carbonate soft drinks, heating appliances, or by combustion of fuels.
To ensure the safety of everyone on board, the vessel owner, master and crew must address any risk of hazardous gases in the vessel’s operational risk assessment. It’s also a legal requirement under Marine Order 504 (Certificates of operation and operation requirements).
Working while fatigued can have serious outcomes as shown by this incident. The importance of managing the risk of fatigue is the focus in this month’s safety lesson report.
Every month, we share an overview of a domestic commercial vessel incident investigation and the safety lesson you can learn to ensure safe operations on board your vessel.
Read the monthly safety lesson
A seaplane collided with a vessel during a high-wind weather event, and a passenger sustained an injury from a propellor while diving. These are some of the occurrences included in the latest incident report.
During May 2024, there were 75 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels. Of these, 21 were serious.
Equipment failure, vessel damage, and serious injury or death are types of marine incidents as defined by various Australian laws.
Marine Incidents can be minor or very serious.
If in doubt, report a marine incident anyway. The information you provide helps inform our safety focus, compliance and policy activities. Reporting and reviewing marine incidents also helps you continuously improve your safety management system.
Familiarise yourself with the different types of marine incidents you need to report. Find out more
Plastic Free July inspires millions worldwide, both locally and internationally, to cut plastic use and adopt sustainable alternatives.
As Australia’s national maritime regulator, we support this important initiative and are dedicated to reducing ocean plastics that harm our precious marine environment.
If you see pollution from a vessel, don't ignore it, report it.
For centuries, lighthouses and other marine aids to navigation have been keeping seafarers and our precious coastlines safe from the hazards of shipping.
Many are in remote locations, only accessible via boat or helicopter. We’re saving you the trek with behind-the-scenes tours of some of our heritage-listed lighthouses.
Click on the links below to take a virtual tour of:
Maintaining this network is a logistical feat, but one that we embrace as custodians of about 480 aids to navigation around Australia.
In this edition:
From 1 July 2024, annual indexation will apply to specified domestic commercial vessel safety fees. The indexation factor that will apply to 2024-25 is 3.6%.
Affected fees that will go up in price are associated with applications for:
For example, effective from 1 July 2024, an application for a new certificate of operation will increase from $226 to $234.
View fees for services list
safety management system requirements
The proposed changes are aimed at improving the safety outcomes of the safety management system requirements and making them easier to understand, fit for purpose and practical for the diverse range of domestic commercial vessels.
We are seeking your feedback across a range of proposed changes, including a proposal to expand the existing requirement for 10-hours rest in each 24-hour period to all masters and crew working on domestic commercial vessels.
The proposed changes will affect all owners, operators, and masters of domestic commercial vessels.
The simplified safety management system changes will apply to smaller, less complex vessels including:
You can watch a recording of our recent information session, which provides a detailed explanation of the proposed changes, what they mean for you, and how to provide your feedback.
Feedback submissions close midnight, Sunday 28 July 2024.
Find out more and have your say
Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide are hazardous gases that can accumulate in spaces commonly found on vessels.
Flammability, explosion risk, and toxicity are hazards that may be associated with gases. Fumes from vessel exhaust, heating appliances, sewage systems, and CO2 cylinders used to carbonate drinks are all sources that can produce hazardous gas. These gases are often colourless, odourless, and tasteless. Exposure to any of these gases can cause serious harm or death in a matter of minutes.
For the safety of everyone on board, ensure that the risks posed by hazardous gases are adequately considered in your vessel’s operational risk assessment as part of your safety management system.
Since 2021, electrical installations and test records have been in the top 5 issues found during domestic commercial vessel inspections.
Ensure wiring, connections and batteries are regularly inspected by a suitably competent person as part of your maintenance plan.
We have guidance available on common electrical hazards and recommended best practices to reduce the risk of electrical faults and fires on your vessel.
Safe vessel. Safe crew. Safe you.
Solar Technology Australia has been announced as the first Australian company to be awarded a contract under AMSA’s new regional model for maintenance on aids to navigation.
Solar Technology Australia was the successful tenderer for Region 4 New South Wales, which includes iconic heritage listed lighthouses like Smoky Cape, Sugarloaf Point and Nobbys Head.
Follow AMSA on LinkedIn for more contract announcements for the remaining regions in this model, as well as the new technical and logistics support provider role.
A vessel was grounded during a medevac transfer, and a crew member sustained injuries during a rescue operation. These are some of the occurrences included in the latest incident report.
During April 2024, there were 95 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels. Of these, 22 were serious.
There is still time to submit nominations for the 2023-24 Australian Search and Rescue Awards.
You can nominate for any of the following categories: Professional, (new) Professional volunteer, Non-professional and Longstanding contribution to search and rescue.
Nominations close 10 July 2024.
In this edition:
The risk of electrical faults and fires on board vessels has increased as electrical systems have become more common and complex.
Make sure you are aware of common electrical hazards and recommended best practices surrounding lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, portable device charging and wiring.
Safe vessel. Safe crew. Safe you.
The importance of ensuring lithium-ion batteries are appropriately installed and charged, is the focus in this month’s safety lesson report.
Every month, we share an overview of a domestic commercial vessel incident investigation and the safety lesson you can learn to ensure safe operations on board your vessel.
Read the monthly safety lesson
A crew member sustained a back injury while loading cargo, and a vessel sank after striking an underwater object. These are some of the occurrences included in the latest incident report.
During March 2024, there were 105 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels. Of these, 23 were serious and one was very serious.
An analysis of inspection data for 2023 has revealed deficiency and detention rates for domestic commercial vessels (DCVs).
The analysis has been published in the AMSA Inspections Annual Report 2023, which reflects on all inspections conducted last year, revealing emerging trends and risks to safety.
The report shows an increase in domestic commercial vessel detentions in 2023 totalling 81 vessels, with passenger vessels and fishing boats having the highest rates of non-compliance.
DCV detentions often related to deficient life-saving equipment, such as lifejackets, life buoys or life-rafts, and safety management systems, reflecting an ongoing refinement of the regulator’s inspection targeting system and procedures.
This important data and analysis will inform the next AMSA National Compliance Plan for industry.
Our Townsville Marine Inspector recently crossed paths with an innovative local fisher from the small town of Kurrimine Beach in Far North Queensland. Tom Long has a passion for sustainable fishing and marine conservation. Tom was searching globally for an environmentally-friendly alternative to expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging for transporting seafood to suppliers – and was quick to realise, there wasn’t one!
This is Tom's story about how he revolutionised the cold-chain packaging industry.
Global digitalisation is gaining momentum, and the maritime industry is no exception. From autonomous vessels to data-driven logistics, we are preparing to assist the maritime sector as it begins to adopt digital enhancements.
Benefits include increased safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability. Learn more about our key digitalisation initiatives.
Nominations for 2023-24 Australian Search and Rescue Awards are now open, and this year we're introducing a new category.
The new Professional Volunteer category recognises passionate people who selflessly sacrifice their time and energy looking after other people, in the best Aussie tradition.
You can now nominate for any of the four categories including Professional, Professional Volunteer, Non-professional and Longstanding Contribution to search and rescue.
You can read about previous recipients on our website.
Nominations for 2023-24 Awards close Wednesday 10 July.
Last week we celebrated International Day for Women in Maritime. The International Maritime Organization introduced this important day in 2022 to address the unique challenges and initiatives in improving diversity, equity, and inclusion for women in the maritime industry.
To mark the occasion, we joined forces with WISTA Australia and The Nautical Institute to host another dynamic panel discussion and networking event—this time in Fremantle, WA.
Under the theme 'Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety', we delved into collaborative strategies aimed at fostering a safer and more inclusive maritime workforce.
With an impressive turnout, the event served as a testament to the collective dedication within our maritime community to advance gender equality and safety.
The National Maritime Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulators Forum collaborates to promote work health and safety on domestic commercial vessels. Find out about the forum’s work, the new national memorandum of understanding, and how you can contact your local representative.
As Australia’s emergency services provider for the maritime environment, and the national authority for search and rescue, AMSA prides itself in maintaining highly responsive, specialised, and world class maritime environment capabilities that keep our oceans safe and clean, and save lives.
To showcase the significant breadth and scope of our response capabilities, AMSA recently produced a video which shares an insight into our response operations and the people behind them.
In this edition:
Our new guidance for domestic commercial vessel owners and operators highlights the importance of voyage planning and appropriate crewing determinations. The guidance focuses on watchkeeping arrangements to ensure the safe navigation of a vessel.
During 2022 and 2023 AMSA received 875 incident reports involving contact, collision, grounding, and close quarters. These accounted for 62% of all reported incidents in 2022.
Don’t be hasty with navigational safety.
Ensure you have enough appropriately certificated crew onboard to account for your operational requirements, crew fatigue, and watchkeeping requirements to maintain the safe navigation of a vessel.
Read more about safe navigation
A new marine notice has been issued on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Revised guidelines for the reduction of underwater radiated noise from shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life.
The revised non-mandatory guidelines provide updated information on approaches, mechanisms and programs to reduce underwater radiated noise (URN) from ships and the associated impacts on marine life.
Read the marine notice
From 1 May 2024, new global requirements under the MARPOL Convention will commence. Australian vessels of 100 gross tonnage and above that are undertaking international voyages must maintain a garbage record book. This is in addition to the existing requirement to carry a garbage management plan.
Garbage record books provide an accurate record of garbage generated onboard a vessel. This new minimum international standard means that foreign port State control authorities could issue deficiencies or detain vessels that do not comply with maintaining a garbage record book.
Find out more about garbage record-keeping requirements
Each year in May we celebrate International Day for Women in Maritime with a public event to inform and promote gender equity in the maritime community. The theme this year is 'Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety'.
Join us either online or in-person for a panel discussion on how the maritime industry can shape the future of the maritime workforce by creating safe and inclusive workplaces, followed by breakout discussions and networking.
Event details
Date: Thursday 16 May
Time: 11:30 am – 3:30 pm AWST (in-person) or midday – 1.30 pm AWST (online)
Location: East Fremantle Yacht Club, East Fremantle WA (or join us online)
The event is co-hosted by AMSA, WISTA Australia and the Nautical Institute.
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, on behalf of AMSA, has successfully prosecuted the master of the ship MV Boshi 58 and its operator, Fu Ye Shipping, following a serious accident involving a ship’s mooring master in 2023.
Both have pled guilty and were fined $5,300 and $32,000, respectively, for failing to ensure pilot transfer arrangements complied with the relevant Marine Order and the Navigation Act 2012.
Read the media release
A generator blew up while a contractor was conducting repairs, and a passenger fell overboard when a vessel rolled in a large wind swell. These are some of the occurrences included in the latest incident report.
During February 2024, there were 111 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels. Of these, 28 were serious.
Read the incident report
The importance of having a risk assessment, which addresses operational risks with appropriate control measures in place, is the focus in this month’s safety lesson report.
Every month, we share an overview of a domestic commercial vessel incident investigation and the safety lesson you can learn to ensure safe operations on board your vessel.
Read the monthly safety lesson
AMSA marine inspectors will soon be asking domestic commercial vessel owners, operators and crew to complete a short questionnaire about the MARPOL Annex V garbage regulations during normal vessel inspections.
Your participation in the questionnaire will help us improve the way we communicate and keep you informed about guidance relevant to your operation.
Marine inspectors will start conducting our questionnaire in May.
Find out more about garbage discharge regulations
In this edition:
The much-anticipated tender for technical support and logistics for AMSA’s aids to navigation network is now available on AusTender.
Supporting future regional maintenance contractors, the successful tenderer for the technical support and logistics role is the final piece which will complete AMSA’s new regionalised model for maintenance delivery on the aids to navigation network.
All tender packages can be viewed on AusTender. Interested businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.
We’d like to hear your thoughts on our monthly newsletter so we can improve how we deliver the industry news that matters to you most.
This survey will take less than 10 minutes, and your answers are anonymous.
The Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan (MERNAP) will set the strategic direction to decarbonise our maritime transport sector and contribute to international shipping emissions reductions.
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts has released the 4th MERNAP issues paper for consultation.
We want to know what you think about proposed revisions to the Surveyor Accreditation Guidance Manual Part 2
Consultation closes Tuesday 2 April 2024.
We want your feedback on the draft of the new Marine Order 55 (Vessels carrying industrial personnel) 2024.
Consultation closes Sunday 14 April 2024.
We recently attended the Australian Maritime College (AMC) Careers Expo in Launceston, which attracted over 250 aspiring and current AMC students, high school students, local educators, career counsellors, and a range of prospective employers—including AMSA.
As a sponsor of AMC’s Engineering our Future campaign, we support a program of work to encourage students to pursue a career in the maritime sector.
AMSA's scholarship program supports the development of skills in the maritime industry. Applications for our 2025 intake will open in August 2024.
Two jet skis collided, and a vessel sustained extensive damage during a recent cyclone. These are some of the occurrences included in the latest incident report.
During January 2024, there were 111 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels. Of these, 21 were serious and one was very serious.
The importance of regularly training crew on emergency procedures and maintaining compliant firefighting systems is the focus in this month's safety lesson report.
Every month, we share an overview of a domestic commercial vessel incident investigation and the safety lesson you can learn to ensure safe operations on board your vessel.
Read the monthly safety lesson
AMSA has issued a ‘refusal of access Direction’ to the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier KMAX Leader, effective 15 February 2024, banning the ship from entering Australian ports for 12 months. The Direction was issued as a result of serious safety violations and breaches of Australian legislation committed by the ship’s Master and owner while in Gladstone Harbour, Queensland.
In this edition:
AMSA is excited to announce the release of 8 tender packages on AusTender for the provision of asset maintenance work to support our 480 aids to navigation network.
This is an important milestone in AMSA’s transition to a regional maintenance service delivery model for aids to navigation.
AMSA remains committed to providing a resilient and reliable network that best suits Australia’s needs well into the future.
Read the full story.
Changes to declared areas of sheltered waters in some areas of Tasmania are now in effect.
The changes include an increase in areas defined as smooth waters, changes to the operational limits within Storm Bay to the east of Bruny Island, and the removal of several historic port limits in other locations that clearly extended out into open waters.
We want to know what you think about proposed revisions to the Surveyor Accreditation Guidance Manual Part 2 (SAGM 2).
SAGM 2 sets clear standards and criteria for Accredited Marine Surveyors and Recognised Organisations (class societies), outlining the procedures for surveying domestic commercial vessels to ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards.
You can provide your feedback on the proposed revisions by midnight (AEST) on Tuesday 2 April 2024.
Come along to our webinar to learn more about the proposed revisions to SAGM 2.
This session is designed for industry professionals, Accredited Marine Surveyors, and stakeholders in the maritime sector.
You will also have the opportunity to ask the presenter questions.
Date: Friday 22 March 2024
Time: 2pm (AEST) (runs for 45 minutes)
Presenter: Rob Maher, Principal Naval Architect, AMSA
Register now to attend.
Australian storage and warehousing businesses have a rare opportunity to tender for a contract to logistically manage hundreds of heritage maritime artefacts with connections to aids to navigation like heritage-listed lighthouses.
Read the media release to learn more.
We want your feedback on Marine Order 55 (Vessels carrying industrial personnel) 2024, which contains mandatory requirements to ensure the safe carriage of more than 12 industrial personnel on cargo vessels and high-speed cargo crafts.
Marine Order 55 gives effect to the new SOLAS chapter XV and the associated International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel.
A Whitsundays charter boat skipper has been convicted and fined over $15,000, after a successful prosecution by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, on behalf of AMSA.
The skipper was convicted of a litany of serious safety issues, leading to the vessel grounding near Hook Passage in the Whitsundays.
We continually assess our regulatory performance so we can better support safe vessel operations and combat marine pollution – and we would like to hear from you.
Please fill out a short survey to help us improve our practices—it will only take about 2 minutes to complete.
In this edition:
How would you feel seeing garbage dumped into the sea? We are sure you would be outraged, which is exactly why we have regulations that protect our marine environment from garbage pollution from vessels.
MARPOL Annex V – Regulations for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships, applies domestically by law here in Australia. Owners and operators of domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) need to be aware of the rules in place.
We have information available on what is considered 'garbage', prohibited garbage discharges, garbage management planning, record keeping and signage, and how you can best manage garbage on your DCV.
Our recent safety alert shares recommendations made by the United States National Transportation Safety Board, following the investigation into the fire that resulted in 34 fatalities and loss of the passenger vessel, Conception.
The findings are a reminder to review the risk assessment for your operation regularly and ensure fire risks are adequately considered.
Marine Order 27 sets out the requirements for: navigation safety measures and equipment, radio equipment, and safety, urgency and distress communications.
The consultation feedback report includes an overview of the consultation process, main issues raised during the public consultation and the proposed key changes made to the Marine Order 27 (Safety of navigation and radio equipment) reissue.
Learn about the new Marine Order 27 (Safety of navigation and radio equipment), which came into effect on 1 January 2024.
A diver was attacked by a shark and required a medical evacuation via helicopter, and a vessel collided with a moored yacht and was significantly damaged. These are some of the occurrences included in the latest incident report.
During November 2023, there were 79 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels. Of these, 30 were serious.
This month’s safety lesson report highlights the importance of adhering to cross-checked and authorised planned routes, and only deviating from them if required due to immediate safety concerns.
Every month, we share an overview of a domestic commercial vessel incident investigation and the safety lesson you can learn to ensure safe operations on board your vessel.
We invite all domestic commercial vessel owners, operators and crew to tell us about electrical safety onboard your vessels.
We'd like to understand your awareness and knowledge of:
Your feedback will help us improve the way we communicate and allow us to provide more tailored guidance, relevant to your operation.
The anonymous survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and closes on Friday 9 February.
In this edition:
The risk of electrical faults and fires on board vessels has increased as electrical systems have become more common and complex.
Make sure you are aware of common electrical hazards and recommended best practices surrounding lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, portable device charging and wiring.
Safe vessel. Safe crew. Safe you.
The importance of ensuring lithium-ion batteries are appropriately installed and charged, is the focus in this month’s safety lesson report.
Every month, we share an overview of a domestic commercial vessel incident investigation and the safety lesson you can learn to ensure safe operations on board your vessel.
Read the monthly safety lesson
A crew member sustained a back injury while loading cargo, and a vessel sank after striking an underwater object. These are some of the occurrences included in the latest incident report.
During March 2024, there were 105 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels. Of these, 23 were serious and one was very serious.
An analysis of inspection data for 2023 has revealed deficiency and detention rates for domestic commercial vessels (DCVs).
The analysis has been published in the AMSA Inspections Annual Report 2023, which reflects on all inspections conducted last year, revealing emerging trends and risks to safety.
The report shows an increase in domestic commercial vessel detentions in 2023 totalling 81 vessels, with passenger vessels and fishing boats having the highest rates of non-compliance.
DCV detentions often related to deficient life-saving equipment, such as lifejackets, life buoys or life-rafts, and safety management systems, reflecting an ongoing refinement of the regulator’s inspection targeting system and procedures.
This important data and analysis will inform the next AMSA National Compliance Plan for industry.
Our Townsville Marine Inspector recently crossed paths with an innovative local fisher from the small town of Kurrimine Beach in Far North Queensland. Tom Long has a passion for sustainable fishing and marine conservation. Tom was searching globally for an environmentally-friendly alternative to expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging for transporting seafood to suppliers – and was quick to realise, there wasn’t one!
This is Tom's story about how he revolutionised the cold-chain packaging industry.
Global digitalisation is gaining momentum, and the maritime industry is no exception. From autonomous vessels to data-driven logistics, we are preparing to assist the maritime sector as it begins to adopt digital enhancements.
Benefits include increased safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability. Learn more about our key digitalisation initiatives.
Nominations for 2023-24 Australian Search and Rescue Awards are now open, and this year we're introducing a new category.
The new Professional Volunteer category recognises passionate people who selflessly sacrifice their time and energy looking after other people, in the best Aussie tradition.
You can now nominate for any of the four categories including Professional, Professional Volunteer, Non-professional and Longstanding Contribution to search and rescue.
You can read about previous recipients on our website.
Nominations for 2023-24 Awards close Wednesday 10 July.
Last week we celebrated International Day for Women in Maritime. The International Maritime Organization introduced this important day in 2022 to address the unique challenges and initiatives in improving diversity, equity, and inclusion for women in the maritime industry.
To mark the occasion, we joined forces with WISTA Australia and The Nautical Institute to host another dynamic panel discussion and networking event—this time in Fremantle, WA.
Under the theme 'Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety', we delved into collaborative strategies aimed at fostering a safer and more inclusive maritime workforce.
With an impressive turnout, the event served as a testament to the collective dedication within our maritime community to advance gender equality and safety.
The National Maritime Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulators Forum collaborates to promote work health and safety on domestic commercial vessels. Find out about the forum’s work, the new national memorandum of understanding, and how you can contact your local representative.
As Australia’s emergency services provider for the maritime environment, and the national authority for search and rescue, AMSA prides itself in maintaining highly responsive, specialised, and world class maritime environment capabilities that keep our oceans safe and clean, and save lives.
To showcase the significant breadth and scope of our response capabilities, AMSA recently produced a video which shares an insight into our response operations and the people behind them.
In this edition:
Our new guidance for domestic commercial vessel owners and operators highlights the importance of voyage planning and appropriate crewing determinations. The guidance focuses on watchkeeping arrangements to ensure the safe navigation of a vessel.
During 2022 and 2023 AMSA received 875 incident reports involving contact, collision, grounding, and close quarters. These accounted for 62% of all reported incidents in 2022.
Don’t be hasty with navigational safety.
Ensure you have enough appropriately certificated crew onboard to account for your operational requirements, crew fatigue, and watchkeeping requirements to maintain the safe navigation of a vessel.
Read more about safe navigation
A new marine notice has been issued on the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Revised guidelines for the reduction of underwater radiated noise from shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life.
The revised non-mandatory guidelines provide updated information on approaches, mechanisms and programs to reduce underwater radiated noise (URN) from ships and the associated impacts on marine life.
Read the marine notice
From 1 May 2024, new global requirements under the MARPOL Convention will commence. Australian vessels of 100 gross tonnage and above that are undertaking international voyages must maintain a garbage record book. This is in addition to the existing requirement to carry a garbage management plan.
Garbage record books provide an accurate record of garbage generated onboard a vessel. This new minimum international standard means that foreign port State control authorities could issue deficiencies or detain vessels that do not comply with maintaining a garbage record book.
Find out more about garbage record-keeping requirements
Each year in May we celebrate International Day for Women in Maritime with a public event to inform and promote gender equity in the maritime community. The theme this year is 'Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety'.
Join us either online or in-person for a panel discussion on how the maritime industry can shape the future of the maritime workforce by creating safe and inclusive workplaces, followed by breakout discussions and networking.
Event details
Date: Thursday 16 May
Time: 11:30 am – 3:30 pm AWST (in-person) or midday – 1.30 pm AWST (online)
Location: East Fremantle Yacht Club, East Fremantle WA (or join us online)
The event is co-hosted by AMSA, WISTA Australia and the Nautical Institute.
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, on behalf of AMSA, has successfully prosecuted the master of the ship MV Boshi 58 and its operator, Fu Ye Shipping, following a serious accident involving a ship’s mooring master in 2023.
Both have pled guilty and were fined $5,300 and $32,000, respectively, for failing to ensure pilot transfer arrangements complied with the relevant Marine Order and the Navigation Act 2012.
Read the media release
A generator blew up while a contractor was conducting repairs, and a passenger fell overboard when a vessel rolled in a large wind swell. These are some of the occurrences included in the latest incident report.
During February 2024, there were 111 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels. Of these, 28 were serious.
Read the incident report
The importance of having a risk assessment, which addresses operational risks with appropriate control measures in place, is the focus in this month’s safety lesson report.
Every month, we share an overview of a domestic commercial vessel incident investigation and the safety lesson you can learn to ensure safe operations on board your vessel.
Read the monthly safety lesson
AMSA marine inspectors will soon be asking domestic commercial vessel owners, operators and crew to complete a short questionnaire about the MARPOL Annex V garbage regulations during normal vessel inspections.
Your participation in the questionnaire will help us improve the way we communicate and keep you informed about guidance relevant to your operation.
Marine inspectors will start conducting our questionnaire in May.
Find out more about garbage discharge regulations
In this edition:
The much-anticipated tender for technical support and logistics for AMSA’s aids to navigation network is now available on AusTender.
Supporting future regional maintenance contractors, the successful tenderer for the technical support and logistics role is the final piece which will complete AMSA’s new regionalised model for maintenance delivery on the aids to navigation network.
All tender packages can be viewed on AusTender. Interested businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.
We’d like to hear your thoughts on our monthly newsletter so we can improve how we deliver the industry news that matters to you most.
This survey will take less than 10 minutes, and your answers are anonymous.
The Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan (MERNAP) will set the strategic direction to decarbonise our maritime transport sector and contribute to international shipping emissions reductions.
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts has released the 4th MERNAP issues paper for consultation.
We want to know what you think about proposed revisions to the Surveyor Accreditation Guidance Manual Part 2
Consultation closes Tuesday 2 April 2024.
We want your feedback on the draft of the new Marine Order 55 (Vessels carrying industrial personnel) 2024.
Consultation closes Sunday 14 April 2024.
We recently attended the Australian Maritime College (AMC) Careers Expo in Launceston, which attracted over 250 aspiring and current AMC students, high school students, local educators, career counsellors, and a range of prospective employers—including AMSA.
As a sponsor of AMC’s Engineering our Future campaign, we support a program of work to encourage students to pursue a career in the maritime sector.
AMSA's scholarship program supports the development of skills in the maritime industry. Applications for our 2025 intake will open in August 2024.
Two jet skis collided, and a vessel sustained extensive damage during a recent cyclone. These are some of the occurrences included in the latest incident report.
During January 2024, there were 111 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels. Of these, 21 were serious and one was very serious.
The importance of regularly training crew on emergency procedures and maintaining compliant firefighting systems is the focus in this month's safety lesson report.
Every month, we share an overview of a domestic commercial vessel incident investigation and the safety lesson you can learn to ensure safe operations on board your vessel.
Read the monthly safety lesson
AMSA has issued a ‘refusal of access Direction’ to the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier KMAX Leader, effective 15 February 2024, banning the ship from entering Australian ports for 12 months. The Direction was issued as a result of serious safety violations and breaches of Australian legislation committed by the ship’s Master and owner while in Gladstone Harbour, Queensland.
In this edition:
AMSA is excited to announce the release of 8 tender packages on AusTender for the provision of asset maintenance work to support our 480 aids to navigation network.
This is an important milestone in AMSA’s transition to a regional maintenance service delivery model for aids to navigation.
AMSA remains committed to providing a resilient and reliable network that best suits Australia’s needs well into the future.
Read the full story.
Changes to declared areas of sheltered waters in some areas of Tasmania are now in effect.
The changes include an increase in areas defined as smooth waters, changes to the operational limits within Storm Bay to the east of Bruny Island, and the removal of several historic port limits in other locations that clearly extended out into open waters.
We want to know what you think about proposed revisions to the Surveyor Accreditation Guidance Manual Part 2 (SAGM 2).
SAGM 2 sets clear standards and criteria for Accredited Marine Surveyors and Recognised Organisations (class societies), outlining the procedures for surveying domestic commercial vessels to ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards.
You can provide your feedback on the proposed revisions by midnight (AEST) on Tuesday 2 April 2024.
Come along to our webinar to learn more about the proposed revisions to SAGM 2.
This session is designed for industry professionals, Accredited Marine Surveyors, and stakeholders in the maritime sector.
You will also have the opportunity to ask the presenter questions.
Date: Friday 22 March 2024
Time: 2pm (AEST) (runs for 45 minutes)
Presenter: Rob Maher, Principal Naval Architect, AMSA
Register now to attend.
Australian storage and warehousing businesses have a rare opportunity to tender for a contract to logistically manage hundreds of heritage maritime artefacts with connections to aids to navigation like heritage-listed lighthouses.
Read the media release to learn more.
We want your feedback on Marine Order 55 (Vessels carrying industrial personnel) 2024, which contains mandatory requirements to ensure the safe carriage of more than 12 industrial personnel on cargo vessels and high-speed cargo crafts.
Marine Order 55 gives effect to the new SOLAS chapter XV and the associated International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel.
A Whitsundays charter boat skipper has been convicted and fined over $15,000, after a successful prosecution by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, on behalf of AMSA.
The skipper was convicted of a litany of serious safety issues, leading to the vessel grounding near Hook Passage in the Whitsundays.
We continually assess our regulatory performance so we can better support safe vessel operations and combat marine pollution – and we would like to hear from you.
Please fill out a short survey to help us improve our practices—it will only take about 2 minutes to complete.
In this edition:
How would you feel seeing garbage dumped into the sea? We are sure you would be outraged, which is exactly why we have regulations that protect our marine environment from garbage pollution from vessels.
MARPOL Annex V – Regulations for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships, applies domestically by law here in Australia. Owners and operators of domestic commercial vessels (DCVs) need to be aware of the rules in place.
We have information available on what is considered 'garbage', prohibited garbage discharges, garbage management planning, record keeping and signage, and how you can best manage garbage on your DCV.
Our recent safety alert shares recommendations made by the United States National Transportation Safety Board, following the investigation into the fire that resulted in 34 fatalities and loss of the passenger vessel, Conception.
The findings are a reminder to review the risk assessment for your operation regularly and ensure fire risks are adequately considered.
Marine Order 27 sets out the requirements for: navigation safety measures and equipment, radio equipment, and safety, urgency and distress communications.
The consultation feedback report includes an overview of the consultation process, main issues raised during the public consultation and the proposed key changes made to the Marine Order 27 (Safety of navigation and radio equipment) reissue.
Learn about the new Marine Order 27 (Safety of navigation and radio equipment), which came into effect on 1 January 2024.
A diver was attacked by a shark and required a medical evacuation via helicopter, and a vessel collided with a moored yacht and was significantly damaged. These are some of the occurrences included in the latest incident report.
During November 2023, there were 79 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels. Of these, 30 were serious.
This month’s safety lesson report highlights the importance of adhering to cross-checked and authorised planned routes, and only deviating from them if required due to immediate safety concerns.
Every month, we share an overview of a domestic commercial vessel incident investigation and the safety lesson you can learn to ensure safe operations on board your vessel.
We invite all domestic commercial vessel owners, operators and crew to tell us about electrical safety onboard your vessels.
We'd like to understand your awareness and knowledge of:
Your feedback will help us improve the way we communicate and allow us to provide more tailored guidance, relevant to your operation.
The anonymous survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and closes on Friday 9 February.