The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has released information on new safety management system (SMS) requirements for domestic commercial vessels, which comes into effect from 1 June this year.
Key changes
Simplified SMS: Owners of some vessels under 7.5 metres will be eligible for a simplified SMS. Use our online simplified SMS tool to find out if the simplified SMS applies to you.
Fatigue management: Vessel owners will need to identify and address the risk of master and crew fatigue in the vessel’s risk assessment. This does not apply to Class 4 vessels.
Drug and alcohol policy: Vessel owners will need to have a drug and alcohol policy in the vessel’s SMS to manage the risks associated with drug and alcohol use.
Cargo and dangerous goods: Vessels undertaking cargo operations, including the carriage of dangerous goods, will need to include a procedure in their SMS outlining how they manage the specific risks.
Key operational procedures to be covered in every SMS: Class 1, 2 and 3 vessel owners will need to have procedures covering the key vessel operations in their SMS, if relevant.
Vessel emergency plans: Loss of propulsion and oil or fuel spills will need to be covered in the vessel’s emergency plan, if relevant.
Master and designated person responsibility statement: The master’s responsibility and authority statement has been clarified to better outline their authority and there is now a requirement to set out a designated person’s responsibility statement. Different rules may apply to vessels eligible to operate under a simplified SMS in certain circumstances.
Assembly station requirements: Alternative assembly stations will only be required if reasonably practicable based on the vessel’s layout, characteristics and risk assessment. Different rules may apply to vessels eligible to operate under a simplified SMS.
Record of vessel modifications: Vessel owners will need to identify risks to vessel stability in the vessel’s risk assessment and maintain a record of vessel modifications impacting stability. This does not apply to Class 4 vessels and different rules may apply to vessels eligible to operate under a simplified SMS.
Find out more: Changes to safety management system requirements – 1 June 2025
