life jackets compulsory for bar crossings in SEQ

[RCG008]

I think we'd all agree there is a lot of idiots on the waterways. This is where this law has being aimed. And since someone in the government has to make the decision it would always involve every boat.

I mean how can you tell from the shoreline or a small distance which boats are the idiots and which arn't. It would be very hard so they group everyone together.

[Grand_Marlin]

Please read the link that Jeremy posted to MSQ.

Keep in mind it is only affecting open boats under 4.8 metres.

The legislation is the first step in a total overhaul of life jacket wearing rules, that are yet to come.

Will we have any say in the new rules?????

CAN we have a say in the new rules?????

I also think their comments are very poorly researched, and a knee jerk, finger pointing excersise, based solely on statistics has been converted to legislation.... very clever of them.

I dont think many people would object to increased usage of life jackets, but they have to be sensible rules.

As it stands now ... an open 4.7 metre boat has to abide by the new rules, but a 4.7m cuddy cab doesnt.

I like their comment about kids 12 and under shouldnt be on a boat unless absolutely necessary.... again, very well researched guys.

Cheers

Pete

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

geez I hope they define the "brisbane bar" - inside the river can be worse than outside at times

[Owen]

The info on the site is a bit ambiguous.
On the one hand they say a coastal bar is any lake river entrance etc which has a shallow openingwhere sand is deposited and then the specify certain bars which have been designated as compulsary for vests.
So is the list exclusive? i.e. are these the only bars where you must wear a vest, or are they an example???

I hope it's not left up to the descretion of the enforcement officers

Like does gladstone have a bar?
The entrance to the Boyne could be deemed so by the definition they give, however the harbour itself has a deep water shipping channel right into it.
These areas are immediately adjacent to each other.
The Boyne entrance gets rough, but nothing like what I've seen at say Brunswick Heads bar.

I'm not against it per se. I put my vest on if I'm alone and it gets a bit rough, but I can see a few blues erupting if it's not spelled out clearly.

cheers,
OWen

[seatime]

Hi all Ausfishers,

I think the changes are being made because the government believes it will save children's lives and win votes.
I don't think they did this to make life difficult for under 4.8m boat owners. Sure their motivation is to consolidate their existing support and woo Family First type voters. Just like their desire to play chutney ferrets with the Greens.
As said on the other thread, I'm not against the changes, I'm just very suspicious of why they have done it. It's not like MSQ to react this way, the body count is usually much higher before changes are made.
It may well be another revenue raising exercise, camerapersons at bar entrances filming boats crossing.

There's not going to be a lot of room left in Moreton Bay soon, 50% closed for fish to fornicate and 200,000 tinnies in the remaining 50% bumping into each other with their lifejackets on.
The chances of drowning will be remote, but the chances of concussion high. cheers

[jim_farrell]

I guess we are bordering on a news thread now, but as grand marlin said, who does get consulted before this legislation goes through. I appreciate that when legislation such as speed cameras goes through we don't get consulted as it effects everybody. However this only effects people who cross bars. One would think a body made up of VMR, water police and boaties who cross bars should make a decision such as the. It is not an issue that effects the general public, only us!!!

[RCG008]

I guess we are bordering on a news thread now, but as grand marlin said, who does get consulted before this legislation goes through. I appreciate that when legislation such as speed cameras goes through we don't get consulted as it effects everybody. However this only effects people who cross bars. One would think a body made up of VMR, water police and boaties who cross bars should make a decision such as the. It is not an issue that effects the general public, only us!!!

It's like that now. I dont think anyone has any say... Sorry guys.. I'm not a politician, but, their just like that. No-one got consulted on speed cameras!!!! of course not. Why would they start now. There is probably a forum or chat page going at the moment on how where all whinging about life jackets. Gone are the days of having a sey... here are the days of getting told what to do. There seems to be no way around it.

[Feral]

Geez put ya life jacket on for five minutes it's not that onerous!
Do it for your wife and kids, or for the the poor bloke who might otherwise be picking up your body, I am sure he has more pleasant things to do.....

[onerabbit]

Well said, its only for the crossing !!

Muzz

[bungie]

Ain't we talking about 14ft tinnies ??

Your a bloody idiot to try a bar in one anyway, and you need your ass kicking if you take a kid under 12 out over the bar in one too.

[wayne_cook]

helped rescue 2 guys at swr creek bar acouplea years ago. shallow water trapped under boat.Just lucky they didn't have ljs on.It was hard enough pulling them out.

Horses for courses deep water I ware a jacket. Shallow keepit close by.
Encourage the use of ljs but would be nice to have a choice.

[Jeremy]

Ain't we talking about 14ft tinnies ?? Your a bloody idiot to try a bar in one anyway

I cross Caloundra bar regularly in my 15 ft tinny (centre console), and there are alot of other tinnies of similar size and smaller who use this and other bars. I find that in conditions in which it is comfortable to fish offshore, the bar is not a problem. Actually, I believe that I am a far better skipper for my years of experience with this bar.

I would be surprised if you regularly cross bars after making a comment like that Bungie. Is that white side console Bluefin 4.5m yours? Sounds to me like you don't have the experience or knowledge to cross bars in that boat yourself, so you brand anyone that does cross a bar in a tinny as a "bloody idiot".

Jeremy

[Jeremy]

Encourage the use of ljs but would be nice to have a choice.

Well said!

Jeremy

[INDULGENCE]

Wouldnt mind some shares in the companies that make the auto inflatables.

I think we will all be wearing jackets in open boats in the future.

I am looking at buying a set of the inflatables for all on board to wear at night on the big one let alone the tinnie.

Wally

[whiteman]

The creek where I live (Rollingstone Creek nth of Townsville) doesn't have a surf bar but when the wind is up, we get small wind chop "breaking". In the past 2 years we've had three tinnies swamped on this sandbar, all needing assistance. They probably didn't need life jackets as there are a couple of significant crocks looking after the barra - so they probably ran across the top of the water!