14 Maritime Safety

Maritime safety includes ensuring safe operation of vessels and seaworthiness; proper use of safety equipment; appropriate infrastructure to ensure safe navigation; rescue services; and ensuring the protection of the marine environment from things such as pollution. In Australia, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) works to ensure maritime safety in Australian territorial waters. More locally, Maritime Safety Victoria, keeps our local waterways safe.

‘Lifebuoy Hanging on Metal Railing Under Blue Sky’ by Jan van der Wolf used under a Pexels License

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority

In Australia, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), an independent statutory established under the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Act 1990 works to:

• Promote maritime safety and protection of the marine environment (e.g. ensuring seaworthiness and safe operation of vessels in Australian waters);
• Prevent and combat ship-sourced pollution in the marine environment (e.g. administering the prevention of Pollution from Ships Act 1983);
• Provide infrastructure to support safety of navigation in Australian waters, such as lighthouses;
• Provide a national search and rescue service to the maritime and aviation sectors;
• Provide, on request, services to the maritime industry on a commercial basis; and
• Provide, on request, services of a maritime nature on a commercial basis to the Australian Government and/or states and territories.

This text is adapted from “Australian Maritime Safety Authority: Purpose” by © Australian Maritime Safety Authority 2020 is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Maritime Safety Victoria

In addition to AMSA, each state has a governing body that ensures maritime safety through things such as recreational boating, ensuring safe operation, appropriate safety equipment is on board and utilised where required; accreditation and licencing for marine pilots, pilot exempt masters, local knowledge certificate holders and harbour masters and conduct audits to ensure compliance with safety; and waterway safety audits of Victorian ports and waterways to ensure safe waterways for all users as well as managing application for permanent, emergency or urgent waterway rule changes and notices to mariners on general navigation and safety issues (State Government of Victoria, 2023).