The United Nation’s World Maritime Day is an opportunity to highlight the professionalism and dedication of the 2 million seafarers who serve on the world’s merchant fleet.

Throughout the pandemic shipping has continued to transport vital medical supplies, food and other basic goods that are critical for the global COVID-19 response and recovery and highlighted the contribution of all seafarers as key and essential workers on the front line of delivering vital goods through a pandemic and in ordinary times.

This year World Maritime Day aims to raise awareness of seafarer’s crucial role in world trade and focus attention on their place at the core of the global shipping industry including their role in maritime safety.

The ATSB is deeply committed to improving maritime safety for seafarers through its ‘no-blame’ maritime accident investigations and safety messaging to industry and individuals to prevent future accidents. The ATSB also recognises and celebrates its transport safety investigators who began their careers at sea.  Ahoy!

To learn more about some of our more recent maritime investigations and their related safety messaging read the reports below. 

MO-2018-008: Loss of containers overboard involving YM Efficiency, 16 NM east-south-east of Newcastle, New South Wales, on 1 June 2018

MO-2018-009: Fatality in the elevator trunk on board OOCL Kuala Lumpur, 8.5 nautical miles south-east of Port Botany, New South Wales, on 3 June 2018

MO-2018-011: Fire on board Iron Chieftain, Port Kembla, New South Wales, on 18 June 2018 

Publication Date