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Marine Safety

The Marine Safety Branch of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure 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!

The Northern Territory Government has launched a new $100,000 marine safety campaign encouraging Territorians to ‘Play Safe’ on the water.

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.

The campaign includes print, radio and TV ads, and highlights the simple steps to Play Safe on the water, they include;

  • Ensuring the skipper is always responsible
  • Check the weather and tides before you go
  • Check your safety equipment
  • Know the rules of the road.

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

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 vist the website of the National Marine Safety Committee or download their Maritime Skills Brochure. (590kb pdf)