Please call the toll-free number 1800 011 034 for advise or assistance on reporting requirements.

Masters of Australian registered vessels, or of foreign flag vessels in Australian waters and other 'responsible persons' are obliged, under the Transport Safety Investigation Act and Regulations 2003, to report any accident (or 'immediately reportable matter') as soon as practicable to the ATSB, by the quickest means possible. Recognising the practical difficulties of reporting to a number of separate authorities, the Regulations consider a report to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), or to AusSAR in Canberra, to be a report to the ATSB, although the ATSB is a separate organisation. On receipt of a report of an incident, ATSB staff, who are on 24 hour call, decide(s) what action will be taken.

Depending on the type and severity of the incident, this may be:

• an investigation carried out by an ATSB or specially appointed investigator, or
• more information sought from the owner, employer or other body, or
• no further action taken

Incidents should be notified to AMSA using forms found on the AMSA website. AMSA forwards copies of the completed forms to the ATSB and these meet reporting requirements.

Submission of information known by the reporter to be false or misleading is a serious offence under section 137.1 of the Criminal Code. Aiding, abetting, counselling, procuring or urging the submission of false or misleading information is also a serious offence.

• Section 49 Notices