Brother-in-law fined by waterways

[Dignity]

An interesting thread
With respect to safety equipment
If I have to go in the water or one of my crew (family) then I will ensure that my safety gear is functional in regs. Anyone would find the pain an anguish of losing a loved one or mate to drowning because ther PFD didn't work unbearable. if I have to miss out on a few weeks fishing so I can afford to buy the correct equipment then so be it the other alternative is unacceptable.

On another note HUTchwilco Inflatable Pfd's need to be inspected every 3 years this can be done by the boat owner and as long as this is documented on the PFD this is deemed acceptable (this is what I have been told by the manufacturer) I am not comfortoable so will send them in for inspection in three years. for commercial Its every year.

check the cylinders, if there is surface rust showing they will be deemd unsatisafctory even within the 3 year period. Rust is about the only determiation of the expiry date on them.

[Reel Nauti]

If I was the young fella who was fined I would not pay it and plead not guilty in court. Let the magistrate make a ruling. The rules clearly state that we are required to carry one jacket for each person on board. He had that, the cop was totally wrong. I feel very confident this would be thrown out of court, and I would try it on.

Cheers

Dave

[Oldsalt]

Hey fellas go easy on the "copper "slanging the original post said it was one of those maritime cowboys. The boys in blue down here on the water are not that bad and I reckon are fair and reasonable.

Tom

[Reel Nauti]

That's fair comment too Tom.

I think I read in another thread that you are a Police Officer. If so, what are your thoughts on this thread Tom? Do you feel the maritime boys were out of line, or wrong? What would the water police have done, would they have booked the young man?

Cheers and thanks

Dave

[Oldsalt]

Dave
If there is one thing I've learned after twenty odd years in the cops is that there are two sides to every story. This one we have not even heard the story first hand. But in saying that and if what was posted first is correct I would be writing a letter to the infringement processing bureau outlining the circumstances of what went on, they in turn will have to get in contact with the BSO ( boating services officer) to get his version then they will make a decision. Failing that the only other alternative is to have the matter heard in court.

As for how would the Water Police have handled it I really can't give you a difinitive answer as all matters have many variables. I will give you one tip though sometimes it all comes down to attitude.


Tom

[Reel Nauti]

Thanks Tom. Wise words I think.

Cheers

Dave

[bay_firey]

Dave
If there is one thing I've learned after twenty odd years in the cops is that there are two sides to every story.
Tom

Actually Tom there are normally 3 sides to evry story

each side has their version - 2
and then there is the truth - 1

3 sides

[littlejim]

Ron,

how did he go?
To anyone with a modicum of common sense he complied with the requirement to have a LJ for everyone on board. Hope he contested it.
Sounds a bit like a report here a while back where somebody got nailed for having his offshore water/person in a bottle as ice. Would have contested that myself.
Sometimes these things revolve round the 'victim's' behaviour/attitude getting up the 'authority's/cop's'' snout at the time, but often this sort of job attracts a number of people with a pedantic, 'poker up the arse' approach to their fellow human beings.