AMSA Update

In this edition

• Have your say—modernising the standard for watertight and weathertight integrity on commercial vessels
• Float-free EPIRBs—focused inspection campaign
• What you need to know about tenders
• Reporting a marine incident
• December 2020 incidents
• Upcoming changes

Have your say—modernising the standard for watertight and weathertight integrity on commercial vessels

Attention: boat designers, boat builders, naval architects, surveyors and interested DCV groups.

We are proposing a new standard to reflect current technologies to align with more modern standards and best practice for watertight and weathertight integrity. It contains multiple options to achieve compliance and address safety issues, including over-loading.

Find out more about the proposed changes and have your say.

Float-free EPIRBs—focused inspection campaign

To support the new requirement for certain types of domestic commercial vessels to be fitted with a float-free EPIRB, we will be conducting a focused inspection campaign between 1 February to 30 April 2021 to check for compliance and help operators to meet their obligations.

Read more about the inspections.

What you need to know about tenders

Tenders come in all shapes and sizes and can perform a range of different roles from passenger transport to marina maintenance.

Whatever type of tender operation you run, it must comply with the appropriate safety standards and carry certain safety equipment.

Visit our about tenders page to learn more about tender operations and how to keep them safe.

Reporting a marine incident

All commercial vessels involved in a marine incident in Australian waters need to make a report.

Reports assist us to respond quickly and efficiently to an incident when it occurs. The real value of incident reporting and the resulting analysis is the development of more effective safety strategies and advice for owners, operators and seafarers to avoid similar events in the future.

Read more about marine incident reporting.

December 2020 incidents

There were 88 reported incidents involving domestic commercial vessels in December 2020. Of these, 26 were serious and 1 very serious.

Read the full report

Upcoming changes

February—New simplified safety equipment lists for small fishing operations.