In this edition:
Reducing the risk of electrical faults and fires
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.
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Explosion: Lithium-ion battery system involved
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
Monthly domestic commercial vessel incident report
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.
Read the incident report
AMSA DCV inspections data available in 2023 annual report
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.
Read the full report
Fisher invents 'Kool' alternative to polystyrene cold-chain packaging
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.
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Maritime digitalisation
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.
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NATSAR award nominations
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.
Nominate now
Women shaping the future of maritime safety
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.
Watch what happened
National Maritime WHS Regulators Forum
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.
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AMSA's role in search and rescue
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.
Watch now
