What a real, AMSA-compliant Safety Management System looks like — section by section, with extracts from a sample vessel SMS and a downloadable PDF preview.
The hardest part of building your first Safety Management System isn't the writing — it's not knowing what a finished one is supposed to look like. This page walks through a complete example SMS for a typical Australian Class 2C charter vessel, with extracts from each major section. At the bottom you'll find a link to preview the full PDF.
Generate your own SMS PDF free →This Safety Management System (SMS) describes how the vessel Aventura is operated safely in accordance with Marine Order 504 and the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part B and Part C. It is the controlling document for all safety-related operations on board…
Name: Aventura · AMSA number: 12345678 · Hull material: Fibreglass · Length overall: 14.6 m · Beam: 4.4 m · Draft: 1.1 m · Engine: 2 × Volvo Penta D6-370 · Year built: 2018 · Builder: …
The Master is responsible at all times for the safe operation of the vessel, the safety of all persons on board, the welfare of the crew, and compliance with this SMS. The Master has overriding authority and may depart from any procedure in this SMS if doing so is necessary for the immediate safety of the vessel or persons on board…
Likelihood: Possible · Consequence: Major · Initial risk: High
Controls in place: Bow rail and stern gate kept closed during transit; safety briefing before departure; passenger seating designated; flotation devices accessible; no movement on deck above 15 kn; designated MOB lookout when passengers on aft deck. Residual risk: Medium.
Engine oil and filter: every 250 hours or 12 months, whichever first. Service log maintained per engine. Last service: 14 April 2026 at 1,420 hrs. Next due: 1,670 hrs.
Master's immediate actions: 1. Cut fuel supply at the main shutoff. 2. Stop the affected engine. 3. Activate fixed fire suppression. 4. Close engine room vents and dampers. 5. Account for all persons. 6. Broadcast Pan-Pan or Mayday on VHF Ch 16 as appropriate. 7. Prepare to abandon if not contained within 5 minutes…
No person under the influence of alcohol or drugs may operate or work on board Aventura. The Master may not consume alcohol within 8 hours of commencing duty. Crew are subject to the same standard. Testing may be required by AMSA following an incident…
Before any crew member commences duty they must be inducted by the Master or designated person and sign the induction record. The induction covers: location of life jackets, EPIRB, fire extinguishers, first aid kit, abandon ship procedures, MOB procedures, fire procedures, communication equipment, the vessel layout, hazards specific to this vessel…
The full sample SMS for Aventura runs to 47 pages. You can either:
You can preview a complete AMSA-compliant SMS at sms-builder.com — the free tier generates a full SMS PDF based on your vessel's details. AMSA also publishes example extracts within its Marine Order 504 guidance.
A 30–60 page numbered document covering vessel details, roles, procedures, risk assessments, emergencies, policies (drug & alcohol, fatigue), maintenance, crew induction and records.
No minimum or maximum. AMSA judges it on whether it's appropriate to the vessel and operation, not length.