Have your say

This consultation closed on 31 March 2025.

About MO16 and MO19

MO16 gives effect to the International Convention on Load Lines. Its purpose is to:

• deal with certification of vessels for evidence of survey and compliance with the International Convention on Load Lines  
• provide for the marking of vessels
• define when a vessel is overloaded.

MO19 gives effect to the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships. It deals with vessel certification as proof of compliance.

Key dates

• 18 February 2025 – Consultation opens  
• 31 March 2025 – Consultation closes
• June 2025 – Consultation feedback report
• 1 July 2025 – Reissued marine orders come into effect  

Who the changes apply to

• Seafarers working on regulated Australian vessels (RAVs)
• Owners and operators of RAVs
• Foreign vessels
• Australian recreational vessels undergoing international voyages
• domestic commercial vessels (as relevant)

What changes did we seek feedback on? 

Key proposed changes include:

• clarifying that if an Australian recreational vessel is a RAV and operates as a commercial yacht, it is subject to the International Convention on Load Lines and falls under the application of MO16
• providing necessary power to AMSA or a recognised organisation (RO) to issue an International Tonnage Certificate to applicable Australian flagged recreational vessels  
• providing an option for a domestic commercial vessel (DCV) owner to apply for an International Tonnage Certificate if they want to
• making both marine orders up-to-date, consistent and easy to understand.

 Proposed changes and draft marine orders

• Draft Marine Order 16 (Load lines) 2025  PDF303.44 KB
• Draft Marine Order 19 (Tonnage measurements) 2025 PDF284.56 KB
• Marine Order 16 summary of changes PDF436.35 KB
• Marine Order 19 summary of changes PDF305.58 KB 

Contact us if you need help accessing any of these documents.

Have your say

We welcome your feedback on proposed changes to Marine Order 16 and Marine Order 19.

You can submit feedback by:

• making a submission using this online form
• contacting AMSA Connect on 1800 627 484 - a Customer Service Officer will take your feedback verbally over the phone
• sending an email to consultation@amsa.gov.au.

This consultation closed on 2 December 2024

About MO28

MO28 ensures the safe navigation and operation of regulated Australian vessels (RAVs) and foreign vessels, by implementing key provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).  

What it gives effect to

STCW Convention:

• Regulation I/14: Responsibilities of companies
• Regulation VIII/1: Fitness for duty
• Regulation VIII/2: Watchkeeping arrangements

STCW Code:  

• Section A–I/14: Responsibilities of companies
• Section A–VIII/1: Fitness for duty,  
• Section A–VIII/2: Watchkeeping arrangements and principles to be observed
• Section B–I/14: Guidance regarding responsibilities of companies and recommended responsibilities of masters and crew members
• Section B–VIII/2: Guidance regarding watchkeeping arrangements and principles to be observed

SOLAS:  

• Chapter V, Regulation 14, addressing minimum crewing and the working language of vessels

Key dates

• 21 October 2024 - Consultation opens  
• 2 December 2024 - Consultation closes
• 1 September 2025 - Revised MO28 comes into effect  

Who the changes apply to

• Seafarers working on RAVs
• Owners and operators of RAVs
• Foreign vessels

What changes did we seek feedback on?

The key proposed changes include:

• introduction of a new section, incorporating an alcohol provision to reflect the 2010 Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and Code
• clarification and improved expression of STCW and SOLAS provisions throughout the marine order
• application of contemporary drafting practices.

Changes and draft order

• Summary of proposed changes (PDF, 579KB)
• Draft Marine Order 28 (Operations standards and procedures) 2025 (MO28) (PDF, 460KB)