Marine Safety

The Marine Safety Branch of the Department of Transport is responsible for marine safety and pollution regulation matters in the Northern Territory. The aim is to ensure boating is both safe and enjoyable. This is achieved through education, regulation and the sponsorship of facilities such as navigation aids.

The Marine Act and Regulations cover the construction, survey and safety equipment on commercial vessels, tourist vessels, hire and drive vessels and regulate safe boating practices for pleasure craft.

The Marine Safety Branch works together with industry in the Northern Territory to ensure the correct number of qualified persons needed to operate commercial vessels safely are always on board.

Play Safe on our Waterways!

Boating is a great part of the Territory lifestyle, but there's no need to take unnecessary risk - so Play Safe.

Our beautiful harbour and extraordinary river systems provide some of the best fishing and recreational boating in the world, but we all need to follow safe boating practices too.

Download your copy of the Safety Guide for Pleasure Craft booklet and the publications

Important information relating to beaching of vessels to perform maintenance

Following the death of a fishing tour operator in 2010 who was killed when his beached vessel rolled onto its side while he was carrying out maintenance, NT WorkSafe have issued a Health and Safety Alert to highlight the dangers of this practice.

All vessel owners (commercial and recreational) are urged to exercise care when undertaking any maintenance and/or cleaning of their vessels.

Want a Career in the Maritime Industry?

A career in the Maritime Industry is very broad and could include being the Captain of an International Ship, a Skipper of a Commercial Fishing Vessel, an Engineer keeping ships operational, a Naval Architect designing and building ships or an Hydrographer charting the sea floor.

For more information on any of these exciting career prospects please visit the website of the National Marine Safety Committee or download their Maritime Skills Brochure. (590kb pdf)