The Marine Order 504 Deadline Is Here – Are You Compliant?
- Captain Cal Callahan
- Jun 17
- 2 min read
Back in December 2024, I published a blog titled “Navigating Changes in Maritime Legislation: Marine Order 504” to give vessel owners, operators, and crew advance notice about major compliance changes set to take effect on 1 June 2025.
That day has now come – and the updated Marine Order 504 (Certificates of Operation – National Law) 2024 is officially in force.
If you haven’t yet reviewed the changes and updated your Safety Management System (SMS), now is the time to act. AMSA expects full compliance across the sector, and there’s no allowance for “I didn’t know.”
What Changed?
To quickly recap, the revised Marine Order 504 includes:
A simplified SMS framework for smaller vessels and lower-risk operations
Clearer requirements for fatigue management and drug & alcohol risk controls
Defined roles and responsibilities for all crew and operators
Updated emergency procedures, including assembly station requirements
New measures for vessel stability risk management
A more streamlined process for Certificate of Operation renewals
These reforms aim to reduce administrative burden while improving operational safety.
The Small Vessels Manual Has You Covered
To help you stay compliant, we updated the Small Vessels Manual in January 2025 to reflect all changes introduced under the revised Marine Order 504. Both the eBook and the 2nd Edition printed version now contain the latest regulatory requirements, SMS templates, and practical guidance to support you and your crew.
If you already have a copy, make sure you’re using the most recent edition. If not, now is a great time to get your hands on the updated manual.
What You Should Do Now:
Read the updated Marine Order 504 (available on the AMSA website)
Update your SMS to meet new compliance standards
Train your crew on emergency procedures, risk management, and fatigue protocols
Review all your operational documentation
Refer to the updated Small Vessels Manual for step-by-step compliance guidance
Don’t Get Caught Out
These changes are about more than ticking boxes – they’re about building a safer, more professional maritime industry for all of us. The updated Marine Order 504 reflects real lessons learned and a renewed focus on practical safety.
If you missed the original December blog, you can read it here for the full overview.
Stay ahead of the game – and stay compliant.
Capt. Cal
Sail your own course.
