Media release

Today, on World Maritime Day, Australia joins other nations in highlighting the vital role seafarers play in our lives.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is pleased to have partnered with the Australian New Zealand Safe Education Boating Group (ANZSBEG) on this important initiative.  National Safe Boating Week takes place from the 2nd to the 8th of October and is an opportunity for governments, industry leaders, and casual and professional seafarers alike to highlight the importance of safe boating across Australia and New Zealand.  

A search and rescue exercise (SAREX) between Australia and Indonesia was held today to further strengthen relationships between the two nations and improve overall transport safety and assistance in Indonesia.

The annual SAREX, involving the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) as well as Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue body (BASARNAS) and the Kupang SAR Office (RSC), was held via video teleconference due to current COVID restrictions.

Byron Bay’s iconic Cape Byron lighthouse has been named the 2021 Heritage Lighthouse of the Year by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA).

Australia will have a greater level of search and rescue and maritime safety capability following a new agreement with the United States Department of Transport (USDOT) to access the world’s largest satellite maritime awareness network, the Maritime Safety and Security Information System (MSSIS).

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is conducting research throughout 2021 into how Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oils (VLSFOs) behave if spilled into the Australian marine environment. 

The National Plan for Maritime Environmental Emergencies sets out national arrangements, policies and principles for the management of maritime environmental emergencies. 

With the help of Indigenous landowners, an aid to navigation (AtoN) on Goods (Palilag) Island in the Torres Strait has had works completed

The Goods Island front light, which sits adjacent to the Prince of Wales Channel, helps illuminate an extremely busy shipping route with over 3000 vessels transiting through each year.  

Key points:

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has coordinated the safe rescue of 20 Indonesian fishermen aboard a semi-submerged 35 metre fishing vessel in distress, approximately 670 nautical miles west of Perth, Western Australian.

On 13 May, the Indonesia authorities notified the AMSA Response Centre that the vessel was in distress and required assistance. Early the next day, the Perth AMSA Challenger Jet conducted a sortie out to the vessel and dropped several life rafts. 

AMSA has banned the bulk carrier Movers 3 from Australian ports for 18 months following outstanding mechanical and survey issues being resolved this week.