Marine incidents

Image of boat aground

A marine incident, as described below, involving Queensland regulated ships, which includes recreational ships, must be reported to a Shipping Inspector at the earliest opportunity, but within 48 hours of the event. If in doubt as to whether an incident is reportable, contact us for assistance.

What is a marine incident?

Under the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 (TOMSA), a marine incident is classified as an event causing or involving:

  • the loss of a person from a ship
  • the death of, or grievous bodily harm to, a person caused by a ship's operations
  • the loss or presumed loss or abandonment of a ship
  • a collision with a ship
  • the stranding of a ship
  • significant damage, or danger of significant damage, to a ship
  • significant damage caused by a ship's operations
  • danger of significant damage to a structure caused by a ship's operations
  • danger to a person caused by a ship's operations. 

How do I report a marine incident?

If you are the owner or master of a ship that is involved in a marine incident, you must report the incident to a Shipping Inspector on the approved F3071 Marine Incident Report form. The report must be made within 48 hours of the incident or of you becoming aware of the incident, or at the earliest opportunity, unless you have a reasonable excuse.

Shipping Inspectors are located at:

  • Maritime Safety Queensland regional offices
  • Queensland Water Police offices
  • Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol offices.

Note: The Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 defines a ship as any boat or vessel used, or intended for, navigation by water or other purposes on water.

Marine Incident Reports can be made to the relevant Maritime Safety Queensland regional office:

  • Online (recommended), by:
    1. completing the form electronically (online using the above link)
    2. printing/saving the form locally using the Print Form facility - Example File Name: ‘Marine Incident Report – [Incident Date DD/MM/YYYY]’
    3. emailing the saved file (as an attachment) to your local regional office.

    Note: Using the online process will not allow you to paste any drawings, charts or images in the Report details field. These will need to be provided as separate attachments.

  • In person, by:
    1. printing and completing a hardcopy form
    2. emailing a scanned copy of the form
    3. mailing or delivering (in person) the form.

Marine Incident Report forms are also available from:

If you are unable to go to one of these offices, contact Maritime Safety Queensland by phone and an officer will advise you what to do next.

The relevant Marine Incident Report form may be completed with the assistance of a Shipping Inspector to ensure the information is accurate, unbiased and as reliable as possible. It is important the form is filled in completely with the incident described in as much detail as possible.

Penalties apply to both owners and masters for failing to report marine incidents.

Why report marine incidents?

The information gathered from marine incident reports helps to develop safety standards, education programs and on-water compliance programs that benefit all waterways users.

Reporting a marine incident may also help you if you decide to make insurance claims on any damage. Some insurance companies may require a marine incident report to validate claims.

From marine incident reports, Maritime Safety Queensland collates and analyses the marine incident data and produces an annual Marine Incidents Report.

Last updated
03 January 2025