New Victorian Boating Safety Regulations

[Shoulders]

Just wondering what everyone thinks about the new regs on PFD's and required safety equipment, which is now in force (as of 1/12/2005).
I am just over the 4.8m length for the rule of wearing of PFD 1 while underway (5m) and have already invested in the more comfortable and expensive type vests. :shock:
The one change that I wasn't aware of was the fire extinguisher size must be the correct size to handle your total fuel capacity not just the amount of fuel you have onboard. Must have a look at that before I next go out. :oops:
Will be interesting to see how many people are complying next time I'm on the water (which can't come soon enough)...........hasn't the weather been crap the past couple of weeks. :(

[Steve-G]

Don't forget to have a bucket on a string as well, :roll: might pay to check under your feet and see if a bilge pump is also required. :cry:

[seaeagle]

this was sent the other day. my opion doesnt count. with the 12 foot tinny,
its a matter of picking your days well and most of the time im in the grammer school lagoon so the danger is very low, but still have to go and get a new PFD to wear comfy, instead of a block with straps, a new fire ext. it is now costing more to go fish than it was to buy the boat....

Marine (Personal Flotation Devices and Other Safety Equipment) Regulations
2005

On behalf of Marine Safety Victoria I would like to thank you for your
submission regarding the Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) for
the above regulations.

Following consideration of all submissions made in response to the RIS, a
number of amendments were made to the regulations before they came into
operation on 1 December 2005.

The main amendments to the regulations are as follows:

· Amending the definition of heightened risk
· Allowing PWC, canoe/kayak and other human powered vessels to use PFD
Type 3s
· Amending the definition of underway
· Clarification of the definition of enclosed waters
· Clarifying the definition of yacht, tender, open area
· Amending the equipment to be carried by operators of off the beach
sailing yachts
· Inserting a definition of vessel length, and
· Amending the PFD wearing requirements to exempt persons engaged in
diving from the requirement to wear PFD when donning or removing
specialised diving equipment.

In addition to these amendments there were other less significant
amendments required at the request of Parliamentary Counsel to clarify the
wording of the regulations.

The regulations and information bulletin are available from Marine Safety
Victoria’s website <www.marinesafety.vic.gov.au> or by calling Marine
Safety Victoria for a printed copy.

The attachment summarises MSV’s response to the main issues raised in the
submissions. Should you require any further information please contact
Marine Safety Victoria on 1800 223 022.


(See attached file: Marine (PFD and Other Safety Equipment) Regulations
summary of submissions.pdf)


Yours sincerely
:P

[grant]

I come from a professional seaman background (RAN) and I believe that anything that will save a single life is worth it.

Untill you have had the job of pulling somebody form the water that would have been saved by a life jacket, it can be very easy to side with the "It such a hassle"

However I think the implementation was poorly executed. Whilst it was made available via MSB website. Woud many of you genuienly know about it excluding *******, here or alike.

I think a TV campaign is needed and more free sessions at training orginations.


g./

[Mr__Bean]

"I come from a professional seaman background"

Hmmmm, gotta be careful how you say that one at the end of the night.....

- Darren

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[grant]

mmmm..... now that I read it again, I could have chosen my words a bit better...

g./

[hillbilly]

I agree with you Grant, the telly would be a great media form to get the message across,
Although wearing a pdf is not my idea of a comfortable fishing trip I reckon a lot more lifes will be saved by wearing them.
Its that time of the year again down here on the Peninsula, Tent cities are now going up on the foreshores and the caravan dwellers are setting up for an extended stay which is usually up to and including Easter, most of these people also have boats that are only ever used for the holiday season and garaged the rest of the year, I would say that about 60 % of these boat owners dont carry the correct equipment, wouldnt know how to use it if they do have it and when on the water some of them act like real dickheads, so I truely believe that there needs to be some form of education other than booking into a course ect, maybe the message would get across better if it were seen on the telly.
I never venture out on PPB this time of the year as there are too many cowboys on the water, I stick to WPB where you still get the odd idiot or 2 but its a safer place to be.
Karren :wink:

[seaeagle]

did everyone get the "issues raised" print out sent to them from the MSV?

[grant]

We were at Williamstown this morning and saw two MSB Jet Ski's.

They are only doing boat inspections and will be on the bay all summer. (Spoke to them while stopped)

I have been inspected once this year and if you are nice to them they are nice to you. All though dave (Salmon Head) offered to give them our smelly bait the declined!

g./

[seaeagle]

yesterday we went down to the ramp to have a look, the coast gaurd building and boat are at st helens, we watched the CG tow in a boat with 3 blokes on board and to my shock none where wearing pfds, there must be a cooling off time for the new law to come in,

[grant]

I have to say all boats that should have them did have them yesterday, except one.

The wind blew up while We were out, (Crusing not fishing) and my wife asked a very good question.

How do you know if the change the warning whil eyou are out.

I have the 27mg on 88 and no warnings or even weathe rupdates were made.

A very good point I think.

g./

[ozdevil]

Grant

They will never issue weather warnings on channel 88 as it is used mainly for calling up and distress and often you will be told to move to channel 91 to keep 88 free for such callings

but however which i do not know if they do this in Victoria but they do it here in some locations in South oz give weather updates on chan 94 or 96

Which is the channel mainly used by rec fisho's and clubs etc

if you do not hear weather updates from these 2 channels try on channel 91

When i am fishing Spencer gulf i have often heard on the hour over the 27 meg the weather warnings for that particular gulf

Also I might suggest that you ring your local coast guard or sea rescue to see if they do offer this service and ask why they don't

As often these guys do not have enough man power to warrent such facility to give out forcasts etc becuase of these being voluntary organisations and can only concentrate on calls for logging in and out and listening for incoming emergancies

but you wouldnt think it would hurt for the operator on the hour just to give an update on weather

so it wont hurt to ring the relevent organisations and suggest them in your area's

cheers
OZ

[grant]

Normally Coast Guard Melbourne announces a weather update on Channel 88 prior to announcing on 86,

I also could not raise coast guard melbourne on the 27meg. I was talking to a guy who reckons they are starting to focus on VHF. I really hope that is not true.

I am going for my radio operators licence in Feb or Mar that way I can get a call sign and a VHF radio.

What radios do you guys have?

g./

[seaeagle]

im sure you can also get sms weather alerts from weather zone, to your mobile, im with virgin and i get full service on the bay but i dont go right out in the tinny

from the weather site
Weather via SMS is available to anybody with an SMS capable mobile phone. You are able to select from a broad range of products:

* Weather warnings sent to your phone as soon as they are issued by the Bureau of Meteorology
http://www.weatherzone.com.au/smsWx.jsp
i dont have a radio yet but marine is the one id like to have

[Shoulders]

I only have a 27meg, and must admit not overly skilled in using it , although I do research weather patterns and forcasts as much as possible before going out, still you never know what you might encounter out there. :shock:
When in doubt.....put on your PFD.

Cheers.......Shoulders.

[grant]

I am writing a script that may help us all. Let me develop it and get back to you.

g./