News
28.07.11
Marine safety will be boosted under a raft of new reforms to
Queensland's recreational boating laws, Marine Infrastructure
Minister Craig Wallace announced today Wednesday 27 July.
"One of the major focuses of these reforms is the enhanced night
and electronic navigation training for all new licence holders," he
said.
"Under the new rules instructors providing licence courses for
boaties through our BoatSafe program will offer additional training
covering all aspects of safe navigation," Mr Wallace said.
Mr Wallace said good navigation skills are always important but
even more so for skippers of larger boats.
"We will also be introducing a new boating licence class to
encourage a high standard of safety in larger recreational craft,"
he said.
"We've found that the larger boats, 12 metres and longer, are
over-represented in serious marine incidents.
"The new licences will not affect current recreational
marine driver and commercial master licence holders or the size of
vessel they can operate, either now or in the future," Mr Wallace
said.
The safety reforms will come into effect from January 2012 with
the exception of the enhanced licence for vessel over 12m in length
which will take effect from January 2013.
Mr Wallace said the new boating safety laws are in response to
the Improving Recreational Boating Safety Discussion
Paper, and the findings of a number of coronial inquests.
"We're encouraging operators of smaller recreational craft to
improve their safety skills as well.
"And we strongly urge all boaties to remember to wear
lifejackets in busy waterways or during bad weather and always when
boating alone or at night."
Mr Wallace said the wide ranging reform followed on from new
laws introduced to the jet ski hire industry for the protection of
tourists and holiday makers.
"In addition under the new regulations jet skis travelling
faster than ten knots have to stay at least 30 metres away from
other moving vessels.
"Learners under supervision on jet skis won't be allowed to
carry passengers and the kill-switch lanyard will need to be
secured to the supervising passenger who already holds a PWC
licence.," he said.
Fast Facts:
- Enhanced night and electronic navigation training in existing
BoatSafe course
- Extending the number of coastal bars where personal floatation
devices must be worn.
- Additional safety equipment requirements for personal
watercraft operating offshore
- Higher standards for new large recreational boat operators
Full details are available on MSQ's website at www.msq.qld.gov.au