V Sheets

[triman]

For those of us who need them Whitworths have V sheets for $4.95, about half what anyone else is charging at present.

[grant]

Do you have to have one by law in Vic, I only have one as my boat came form qld and they do.

g./

[triman]

I've searched the Marine Safety Victoria website and can only find a handful of references to them.
The Boating Safety Handbook, December 2005 edition, as posted on their website, mentions them on page 77 among the distress signals and page 78 where rescue by helicopter is discussed.
A V-sheet is not mentioned in the definitions nor is it required equipment, according to the book, on pages 18 and 19.
There are no menions of V sheets in the Commercial Vessel Handbook.
I've got one because a V sheet ismandatory equipment on SES flood boats so when I went into town to get one for our local unit I picked up one myself.

[Dekka]

When I participated in the 'stop the dredge rally' a police launch pulled alonside and suggested that it was not a good idea for our boat to be using one in such a way (not my boat by the way).

Further conversation yeilded that they are not mandatory in Victorian waters for recreational craft.

[triman]

[quote="Dekka"]When I participated in the 'stop the dredge rally' a police launch pulled alonside and suggested that it was not a good idea for our boat to be using one in such a way (not my boat by the way).

Dekka, how was the sheet being used? From he post I get the impression that someone was possibly waving a V sheet around during the rally?

The Police were quite mild if they only suggested that it not be used. there are strict penalties for misuse of distress signals.

Marine Act 1988, section 25

25. Distress signals



(1) A vessel must be provided in accordance with the regulations with the means of making distress signals.

(2) A person on board a vessel who knowingly uses or displays or knowingly causes or permits any person under his or her authority to use or display any recognised distress signal except in the case of a vessel being in distress is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 3 months or a fine of not more than 20 penalty units or both.

[Dekka]

Triman, the sheet was hung over the front of the cabin.

The officer did alert our skipper to the fact that he could be in a great deal of trouble under different circumstances, however he was sympathetic to our cause. There were a few being used in this manner on the day.

[triman]

Dekka, nice to know that there is some common sense among members of the Police. A stern but friendly warning would work wonders where a fine, a set of stainless steel bracelets and an introduction to the Yellow Pages back at the station may only cause resentment. I think the Police Officer handled that well. Then again in my limited experience with the Water Police I have found them to be firm but scrupulously fair.

[triman]

A quick check through the Safeboating website with the state listings of equipment requirements,
http://www.safeboating.org.au/Equipment/State_Safety_Equipment/index.asp
shows that Queensland, NSW and NT require V sheets and not the others. Then again WA uniquely requires carriage of a heliograph.