Boaties cop a hammering

[Shane Boese]

Boaties cop a hammering over summer

Written by Queensland Government Press Release



Tuesday, 06 March 2007

Police issued 228 infringment notices for boats--mostly in no-wash areas.

Police Minister Judy Spence has issued a wake-up call to Queensland boaties after receiving a poor report card from water police following the annual 'Summer Safe' campaign.

Ms Spence said the annual blitz of Queensland's waterways during December and January showed boaties continue to take too many risks while out on the water by failing to carry prescribed safety equipment.

"Simple safety precautions such as taking suitable Personal Floatation Devices or Commercial standard life-jackets, EPIRBS and flares on board, and teaching passengers how to use them, can save lives," Ms Spence said.

"However, during the past two months, of the total 5874 vessels intercepted, 1340 infringement notices were issued for failing to carry the right safety equipment. "Boaties who don't carry the appropriate safety gear on board their vessel risk a $150 fine.

"Out on the water, conditions can change very quickly and it's vital that boaties and their passengers are prepared for all possibilities. Operators must also ensure vital equipment including radios, navigation lights and engines are in good working order."

Ms Spence said she was disappointed with the results, which were similar to those from last year's summer holiday water blitz.

Ms Spence said 5601 recreational vessels and 273 commercial vessels were intercepted by water police units during December 2006 and January 2007.

"Fortunately, the message is getting through about not drinking and operating watercraft, as only 13 recreational skippers and four commercial skippers were charged with drink driving-related offences," Ms Spence said.

"However simple safety measures continue to be overlooked.

"89 infringement notices were issued for being unlicensed and 327 skippers were booked for minor registration offences relating to registration labels and numbers.

"Speeding was a significant issue, with 228 infringement notices issued to boaties for speeding (often relating to exceeding 6 knots in gazetted 'go slow/no wash' areas)."

Ms Spence said the Gold Coast remained the favourite spot for jet ski hoons.

"Statewide, 125 infringement notices were issued to people for offences such as exceeding six knots near swimmers, freestyling and wave jumping, of which 119 were on the Gold Coast," Ms Spence said.

[seatime]

It's an interesting one, the "six knots - no wash" areas. I've found the "Guide to Recreational Boating & Fishing in Queensland" handbook explains the speed regs fairly well.
Basically, a boat must not travel at a speed where it's wash may cause a marine incident or damage to the shoreline.
Marine incidents include, injury to persons, damage to property, risk of injury or damage, that sort of thing, an incident that may result in an insurance or police investigation. Damage to the shoreline can be erosion, damage to plants, etc.
6 knots is the maximum allowable speed providing the boat is creating minimal wash. Be governed by the wash created, if that's 4 knots for your particular boat, then do 4 knots in the signed areas. Not every boat can travel at 6 knots and produce minimal wash. I'd wager it's the wash that draws the attention of enforcement in the first instance.

6 knots/11kph within 30 metres of swimmers in the water, anchored or moored boats, jetties, pontoons, boat ramps and Code A flags, also relates to maneuverability and reaction time to avoid a collision.

[seatime]

"Out on the water, conditions can change very quickly and it's vital that boaties and their passengers are prepared for all possibilities. Operators must also ensure vital equipment including radios, navigation lights and engines are in good working order."


this is the part where the "general safety obligation" applies, also where all equipment, even if additional to minimum requirements, must be "serviceable" and "in-date".

[Lucky_Phill]

I had a discussion with someone recently and they proved their point that sometimes going 6 knots creates more wash than being up on the plan. This was in a boat of 6.5mtrs. I am not saying that it's better to do this, as the other ( safety ) aspect comes into it. It was just something I had not noticed.

I can't believe that 4 commercial skippers had alcohol in their system. I suppose that is no worse than a rec skipper, as we all are in charge and need to provide a safe passage for the crew etc.

On average, that's a pretty bad average, almost 1 in 4 checked had an issue.

Me thinks we should pick up our act. ( generally speaking )

Phill

[seatime]

Phill, you've highlighted one of the misinterpretations by boat operators of the
6 knot - no wash zones. Maybe the signs could be changed to 6 knots - NO WASH, the no-wash wording is the important part of the sign.

Absolutely agree that many boats create as much, possibly more wash at 6 knots, than they will when planing.
Unfortunately, if those boats have to travel at 3 knots to minimize their wash, then that's the speed they'll need to maintain to avoid fines. It's not a 6 knots regardless zone.
These zones are generally in narrow and congested waterways, and excessive wash can cause damage to persons, property and the shoreline.
Some of the misunderstanding has come from the common references to 6 knot speed limits, and the no-wash part of the signage has been overlooked in many cases, when this is the vital part.

regards
Steve

[Luc]

So get rid of the 6 knots and call them "Displacement speed - No wash zones"

I've got a 4M tinny and at 6 knots it trows out a huge wave as 6 knots is only a few knots short of its planning speed.

In any case, good law enforcement is not just a matter of 'blitzes' during the busy times. It should be ongoing at all time.

Luc

[seatime]

Yeah, I need to stay below 5 knots to stop the bum burying and creating a stern wave and excessive wash, so I stay below 5 knots, can't afford to be pinched.
Just a fact of life for my boat.

Steve

[dazza]

Luc hit the nail on the head,
blitzes during busy times have their place, what about the other times??
it is pretty unusual to see the water police in my neck of the woods (bribie)
they don't eve need to be on the water, there are plenty of di@#$heads around who approach boat ramps at full tilt, pinch em at the top of the ramp, would also be good education for others around as well
cheers
dazza

[Luc]

Being cynical, blitzes during busy time = better $$$ returns.

Same as on the roads, speedy cams on open highways but what about the boy racers and donut wankers in the suburbs.

Luc