AMOU

03/06/2026

Some more on the strategic fleet announcement. 📣

29/05/2026

STRATEGIC FLEET ANOUNCEMENT!
Today, the Albanese Government announced it has secured the first vessel in its Maritime Strategic Fleet, the ANL Kokoda.
The ANL Kokoda, a large cargo ship, will be the first to participate in the Strategic Fleet Pilot Program.

This has been off the back of years of advocacy through the Australian Maritime Officers Union, The Maritime Union of Australia - MUA and AIMPE - Australian Institute of Marine & Power Engineers, and impossible without our member's support.

More here👉https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/c-king/media-release/anl-kokoda-be-first-australias-strategic-fleet

26/05/2026

Industrial Officer Renee Ker for Northern NT and QLD, has a full week in Darwin making ship visits and meeting members and signing up new members.
There is some time on Thursday mid day should you like to reach out for a coffee or would like to schedule a ship visit
Please contact [email protected]

18/05/2026

Today, on the International Day for Women in Maritime, we celebrate the women who keep our industry moving — at sea, ashore, and across every part of the maritime sector.

While women make up less than 2% of the global seafaring workforce and around 5% of Australia’s seafarers, their contribution to the sector is enormous. 🌊

As women participate, our industry grows stronger by addressing skills shortages, bringing diverse perspectives, improving workplace culture, and supporting a more sustainable maritime future.

The Australian Maritime Officers Union proudly stands with women in maritime today and every day. ⚓

13/05/2026

Captain Alan Tait OAM passed away in his sleep on Saturday night. Alan retired from Howard Smiths in 1995; he was the Marine Manager at that time.
Alan also served as deputy and acting chairman of AMSA and Chairman of the AMSA Safety Committee and Director of the Australian Shipowners Association. He was a champion of seafarer welfare, serving as Chair of the Australian Mariners Welfare Society for many years.

Alan Taits funeral will be at Macquarie Park Cemetery Sydney on Friday at 1300.

08/05/2026

⚓ Funeral Notice – Andrew Etwell ⚓

The AMOU extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Andrew Etwell, respected Tug Master from Newcastle.

Andrew’s contribution to the maritime industry and the Newcastle tug community will be remembered by all who had the privilege to work alongside him.

Funeral details are as follows:

📍 White Lady Funerals – Mayfield Elouera Chapel
80 Maitland Road, Mayfield NSW 2304

📅 Wednesday 13 May
🕙 10:00am

For further details and livestream access, please follow the link below: https://www.whiteladyfunerals.com.au/funerals/upcoming-funerals/upcoming-funerals/3cgc7/

Our thoughts are with Andrew’s loved ones and all members of the maritime community during this difficult time.

⚓ Vale Andrew Etwell ⚓

06/05/2026

The Australian Maritime Officers Union is proud to be a part of the Cross-Union Offshore Decommissioning Taskforce, a coordinated multi-union initiative, led by the Maritime Union of Australia - MUA, to secure the future of Australian jobs and safe work practices in the offshore decommissioning industry. ⚓️

This emerging industry has the potential to support both offshore and onshore industries, strengthen local economies, and create secure, high-quality jobs with safety at their core. 🛠️

The AMOU also recently took part in the Curtin Institute for Energy Transition Decommissioning Workshop — working towards partnerships with government, regulators, and industry.

Pictured at the Curtin workshop: Dan Piccoli (MUA WA Branch Organiser), Rikki Hendon (UnionsWA Secretary), Angie Moore (MUA Policy Analyst), and Amy Conwell (AMOU Industrial Officer).

Together, we’re working to ensure decommissioning delivers lasting benefits for Australian workers and communities — with the right standards, the right skills, and the right opportunities in place. 🌏

05/05/2026

AMSA is conducting a free webinar on fatigue management on DCV's tomorrow (Wednesday) 6th of May at 2:30pm AEST. This seems to be an issue popping up regularly in the maritime industry. Jump on board!
This webinar will cover:
✔ Causes of fatigue
✔ Recognising fatigue
✔ Who is responsible for managing fatigue
Who should attend
✔ Commercial vessel owners/operators and crew
✔ Maritime industry professionals
✔ National and state industry associations
✔ State and federal government agencies
✔ Industry advisory groups.

05/05/2026

The AMOU expresses its condolences to the family and friends of those who have lost their lives. A truely tragic outcome to a marine rescue.

Tragedy struck when emergency services were called to help a yacht crew in distress. Link below.

29/04/2026

Yesterday marked International Workers’ Memorial Day and World Day for Safety and Health at Work — a time to remember those who have been killed or injured because their workplace wasn’t safe. 🕯️

This year, the focus is on psychological injury — a growing crisis affecting workers across Australia.

According to the ACTU, 1 in 5 Australians experienced a work-related mental health injury in 2025. Over the past decade, psychological injury claims have more than doubled, now the fastest-growing category in workers’ compensation. Behind every statistic is a worker, a family, a future impacted.

Harm at work isn’t just physical. Stress, bullying, harassment, fatigue, and job insecurity are real risks — and they are preventable. These are not “just part of the job.”

As maritime workers, you know the pressures of the industry. Long swings, isolation, and high-risk environments all take a toll. Protecting mental health at work is not optional — it saves livelihoods, futures, and lives. ⚓

Every worker has the right to a safe and healthy workplace. Every employer has a duty to eliminate risks — including psychosocial hazards.

We will continue to stand up, speak out, and fight for safer workplaces — on deck and ashore.