Australian Maritime Safety Authority - AMSA

10/06/2026

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆, 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.

S‑100 is a next‑generation international standard for digital marine navigation data. It brings together charts, traffic information, navigational warnings and under‑keel clearance data into one modern onboard display to improve situational awareness at sea.

Australia is leading maritime digitalisation at the International Maritime Organization - IMO, including testing these capabilities in real‑world conditions.

Delivered in partnership with the Australian Hydrographic Office, OMC International, Intergovernmental Committee on Survey and Mapping (ICSM), and other industry partners, the S-100 simulation showcases how maritime digitalisation supports safer, more efficient operations at sea.

🚢 Watch a video on Australia’s first S‑100 simulation trials in the Torres Strait that explore how integrated, real-time data performs in realistic navigation conditions. Link in comments below.

09/06/2026

𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗱. 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀. 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝘁.

Fatigue remains one of the most significant hazards in domestic commercial vessel (DCV) operations.

It affects everyone on board — from the master to the newest crew member — and must be treated just like any other safety hazard in your safety management system (SMS).

Fatigue can lead to mistakes, accidents, and long-term health issues. If left unchecked, the consequences of fatigue can be catastrophic.

𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱.

Owners of Class 1, 2 and 3 DCVs must manage fatigue risks by identifying when and why crew may become fatigued, its impact and documenting how those risks will be managed and controlled in a fatigue risk management plan.

Crew should be included in this process — they’re often the first to notice operational pressures or early signs of fatigue. Their input is essential to developing practical and effective risk controls.

🛠️ 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀
✔ Understand fatigue risks
✔ Manage risks through proper planning
✔ Implement
✔ Monitor
✔ Review.

Use our fatigue resources to help you manage fatigue risks via the link in the comments.



𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺.

09/06/2026

In 2025, the Non‑professional Australian Search and Rescue Award was presented to Louie Greenland and Remy Roberts in Queensland.

Their nomination recognised assistance they provided to passengers and crew on a vessel in distress while crossing the Noosa Bar.

The award reflects how actions taken by members of the public, alongside formal response arrangements, can form an important part of search and rescue outcomes.

Nominations for the 2026 Australian Search and Rescue Awards are open until 15 July 2026.

Know someone whose contribution deserves recognition? Submit a nomination via the link in the comments.

08/06/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹’𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆?

Stability is determined by vessel design, modifications, and how you operate it.

Even small changes can affect how your vessel handles at sea. What seems minor could put your crew at serious risk.

𝗕𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲:
✓ Know your vessel’s limits
✓ Assess stability before making changes
✓ Keep a record of modifications affecting stability
✓ Use your safety management system (SMS) to identify and manage stability risks
✓ Train your crew to respond to loss of stability
✓ Make sure everyone knows what to do in a capsize situation.

Learn more via the link in the comments.

05/06/2026

A Class 4 (hire and drive) vessel capsized after being beached on a sandbank in a designated no-go area. Contrary to the safety briefing instructions.

The rising tide caused water to enter the vessel. It was then moved before the water had cleared, resulting in the vessel listing and capsizing. All people on board the vessel reached safety however, no lifejackets were worn.

Under the National Law, Class 4 vessel owners must ensure hirers and participants understand operational limits, follow safety briefings, and are prepared to respond appropriately in an emergency.

This safety lesson highlights the importance of not only conducting a safety briefing but also ensuring it is understood and followed.

Read the full safety lesson below ⬇

05/06/2026

📣 AMSA Update is out now—the latest news, safety updates and industry information for domestic commercial vessel owners, operators and crew.

What you need to know:
🔥 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻: 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗿. Key safety lessons for all Class 4 vessel owners.

📊 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆–𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. Explore the 336 reported marine incidents involving domestic commercial vessels. Find out what happened and prevent similar incidents on your vessel.

🧾 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹? Vessel permissions don’t transfer automatically. Find out what you need to do as a buyer, or seller.

⛵ 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽. Inform AMSA’s review of Class 4 hire and drive regulatory requirements.

🚨 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗮. A recent rescue highlights how critical an EPIRB and lifesaving equipment are on a domestic commercial vessel.

🏆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀. Nominations are now open for individuals, groups and organisations that have contributed to search and rescue outcomes.

😴 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗠𝗦𝗔’𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿. Watch the full recording or listen to the audio brief on your favourite podcast app.

🧰 𝗗𝗖𝗩 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗸𝗶𝘁—𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗷𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆. Access free guidance to help you get on board with lifejacket safety.

📩 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁. Subscribe to AMSA Update and get the latest DCV industry news delivered straight to your inbox. Link below.

04/06/2026

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁.

There were 336 reported marine incidents involving domestic commercial vessels between January and March 2026 — including 45 serious and one very serious.

These marine incidents highlight the risks faced in day-to-day operations, and how quickly an incident can occur.

Here are some of the reported marine incidents:
🚨 A vessel took on water while underway, forcing all crew to abandon to a life raft before the vessel sank (very serious).
🔥 A lithium-ion battery exploded while underway, causing burns to a crew member and fire damage onboard.
⚓ A crew member suffered a partial amputation injury when their hand was caught during berthing operations.
🌊 A master was thrown overboard after a vessel was struck by a rogue wave but was safely recovered.
🛥️ A vessel lost propulsion while approaching an inlet and narrowly avoided further incident after manual intervention.
🚁 A crew member was seriously injured during maintenance, sustaining a crush injury while working on equipment.
⚠️ A vessel grounded and could not be refloated, leaving passengers to be disembarked and the vessel stranded on an outgoing tide.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆? 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.
✔ Take a moment to assess the risks before starting operations.
✔ Make sure you and your crew are well trained and ready to respond.
✔ Rely on your safety management system to support sound, informed decisions.

View the full report via the link below ⬇

03/06/2026

Heading off the beaten track? Don’t leave safety to chance.

Australia’s outback is beautiful, but it can also be unforgiving when things don’t go to plan.

AMSA Executive Director Response and National Search and Rescue Council Chair, Alex Barrell, recently spoke with ABC Landline on the importance of being prepared before heading out.

Whether you’re planning a bushwalk, camping trip, four-wheel drive adventure, prospecting or any other outdoor activity, a little preparation can make all the difference.

Remember to:

✔️plan your trip

✔️tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back

✔️carry enough water, food and supplies

✔️keep a registered personal locator beacon on you at all times.

In an emergency, a beacon can quickly alert search and rescue authorities and help bring assistance to your location faster.

you can watch the Landline episode which featured this story on ABC iView.

Kelly’s son and ex-husband died "stupid" deaths in the Australian outback. She’s on a mission to make sure no more lives are lost.

29/05/2026

How does Australia prepare for complex chemical emergencies at sea?

This week, we put our national response capability to the test in Sydney through Exercise Noxium II, working alongside Fire and Rescue NSW and Australian Border Force.

Over three days, specialist teams practised safely boarding a vessel to locate and identify a simulated chemical spill, assess risks and plan the right response.

Exercises like this are a key part of how we stay ready - building strong partnerships and ensuring a coordinated response, helping protect Australia’s precious marine environments.

Hear Jamie Storrie (Manager Response Planning, AMSA) share more details about the exercise.

Learn more about how AMSA collaborates with other agencies to respond to maritime emergencies via the link in the comments.

29/05/2026

Safety on the water starts with preparation. Make sure you are prepared for the worst.

✅ Ensure your lifejacket is easily accessible and properly fits. In an emergency, seconds count!

✅Conduct regular person overboard drills – practice how to respond quickly and efficiently in case someone falls overboard. It could save a life.

By staying prepared and vigilant, you can ensure that you are ready for any situation on the water.