AMSA has provided this quarter’s Marine incident and safety report — covering domestic commercial vessel (DCV) marine incidents reported between April and June 2026.
A total of 256 marine incidents involving domestic commercial vessels were reported between April and June 2026 including 35 serious incidents and one very serious.
This was 15% fewer reported incidents than in the same quarter of 2025.
Snapshot of incidents
- Crew member responding to a bilge alarm fell through an open maintenance hatch
- Passenger vessel lost propulsion following a mechanical failure and drifted onto a reef
- Crew member fell overboard while removing a fender from a moving rigid inflatable boat.
Control these risks in your operation: Regularly review your safety management systems and maintenance plan. Make sure they reflect current operations and vessel risks.
2026 quarterly domestic commercial vessel incident reports
Quarter 2 April – June 2026
- In April, 87 reported marine incidents were received, 12 were serious.
- In May, 88 reported marine incidents were received, 13 were serious and 1 very serious.
- In June, 81 reported marine incidents were received, 10 were serious.
Very serious and serious incidents containing sensitive information or information that may identify individual persons or vessels have not been included below.
April
NSW › Class 1
Vessel experienced an engine room fire while underway. The crew extinguished the fire using the vessel’s fixed firefighting system, and the vessel returned safely to port. No injuries were reported.
NSW › Class 1
Vessel became grounded after contacting a ramp during berthing. The vessel remained stranded until the next high tide, approximately eight hours later. No injuries or damage were reported.
NSW › Class 2
Vessel undertook evasive action to avoid another watercraft and a crew member fell overboard. The crew member recovered with no injuries reported.
NSW › Class 2
A crew member responding to a bilge alarm fell through an open maintenance hatch. The crew member sustained a serious leg injury and was transported to hospital for treatment.
NSW › Class 3
Vessel experienced a total loss of electrical power and subsequently drifted overnight. Multiple towing operations were required to bring the vessel to a safe location. No injuries were reported.
QLD › Class 1
Passenger fell overboard while the vessel was underway. The passenger was recovered and sustained minor injuries.
QLD › Class 2
Two divers failed to surface as expected, prompting a search and rescue operation. Both divers were located and recovered after an extended period in the water.
QLD › Class 2
A vessel caught fire while berthed in a marina. The fire was extinguished by emergency services, and pollution containment measures were implemented. No injuries were reported.
QLD › Class 2
Vessel grounded following deviation from the intended route. The vessel was unable to refloat independently and required towing assistance. No damage was reported.
QLD › Class 3
Vessel experienced an accommodation fire while underway.
QLD › Class 4
Two persons were thrown from a personal watercraft during a tour. Both sustained injuries, with one requiring a medivac.
VIC › Class 2
Vessel collided with an anchored vessel during hours of darkness, and the anchored vessel capsized. Two persons entered the water and were recovered immediately with no injuries reported. The capsized vessel was recovered and towed to shore.
May
NSW › Class 2 (Very serious)
A rescue vessel responding to a vessel in distress experienced a loss of propulsion and subsequently capsized. Two crew members were found deceased, and multiple others sustained serious injuries requiring hospital treatment.
NSW › Class 2
A rescue vessel conducting a training exercise lost propulsion after being impacted by a wave during a beaching manoeuvre. The vessel subsequently lost control and was pushed broadside by waves. During recovery efforts, a volunteer sustained a serious head injury and was transported to hospital for treatment.
QLD › Class 1
Passenger fell into the water while disembarking from a transfer vessel. A second passenger entered the water to assist. Both were recovered safely and no injuries were reported.
QLD › Class 1
A vessel experienced a loss of gearbox control while manoeuvring in a marina and subsequently made contact with a jetty. No injuries were reported.
QLD › Class 2
Vessel shipped water over the bow and subsequently pitched forward. Two crew members wearing lifejackets entered the water. No injuries were reported.
QLD › Class 2
Two vessels collided. One person sustained a minor injury. No vessel damage was reported.
QLD › Class 3
Vessel rolled and sank after onboard equipment shifted. No further information provided.
QLD › Class 3
A crew member sustained a broken leg following a fall on board a fishing vessel. The crew member required a medivac for treatment.
TAS › Class 2
A crew member sustained a hand injury while loading trailers on board a vessel. The crew member was transported to hospital.
VIC › Class 3
A crew member became caught by the anchor rope while hauling an anchor and sustained an ankle injury.
WA › Class 1
During deployment of a recovery platform, a crew member lost balance and fell into the water.
WA › Class 2
Vessel flooded and sank while berthed in its pen. EPIRB was activated. The vessel was later found submerged in the harbour. No injuries were reported.
WA › Class 2
A passenger fell overboard while the vessel was stationary inside a restricted area. The passenger was recovered immediately with assistance from crew. No injuries were reported.
WA › Class 2
Tug made heavy contact with a ship and sustained damage during towing operations after being displaced by a swell.
June
QLD › Class 1
Vessel lost propulsion and drifted onto a reef following a mechanical failure while manoeuvring. The vessel was later refloated and towed to a marina. No injuries were reported.
QLD › Class 2
Tug experienced a port engine failure while conducting a barge transit. The barge was secured, and a replacement tug completed the operation.
QLD › Class 3
Vessel reported an engine room fire and transmitted a Mayday. The two persons on board abandoned to a dinghy while emergency response assets were activated.
QLD › Class 4
Vessel lost steering while underway and was towed to a safe location. Subsequent inspection identified failure of the rudder assembly. No injuries were reported.
QLD › Class 4
Vessel sank while berthed in a marina. A minor oil sheen was reported, and salvage operations were undertaken to refloat the vessel for inspection and repair.
SA › Class 2
Vessel caught fire and sustained significant damage while work activities were being undertaken on board. One crew member sustained burn injuries and entered the water before being transported to hospital for treatment. The remaining crew safely evacuated the vessel.
VIC › Class 3
Vessel reported significant water ingress while fishing. Emergency response assets were activated and escorted the vessel safely to port.
WA › Class 2
A crew member fell overboard while removing a fender from a vessel underway. The crew member was recovered with no injuries reported.
WA › Class 2
A crew member fell into the water while boarding a vessel from a floating jetty. The crew member was recovered using the vessel’s recovery ladder with no injuries.
WA › Class 2
A deckhand sustained a hand injury while handling a mooring line during berthing operations.
For more information, visit www.amsa.gov.au
