Cold weather boating safety campaign
With the onset of cooler weather, NSW Maritime Boating Officers are out on State waters in force – raising awareness of the risks involved in cold-weather boating.
The effort is part of a campaign aimed to increase awareness of prevention and risk reduction in cold weather boating – particularly in the event of boat capsize or swamping.
In the cooler months, there is an increased risk of boaters suffering hypothermia if you end up in the water. Body temperature can cool 25 times faster when immersed in cold water, with children and older people being the most vulnerable.
Two people have died from hypothermia-related boating accidents on NSW waters since the beginning of 2007, with another seven serious injuries and five minor injuries. Boaters have a greater exposure to the elements than most and boating in cooler weather and alpine areas means a higher risk of developing hypothermia from wind-chill, capsize and wet clothes.
Skippers need to act responsibly, check the weather and – if in doubt, don’t go out.
Make sure you have lifejackets on before the threat of capsize arises – and have enough for each person on board, in an easy-to-access spot.
Warm clothing is advised but boaters should also wear a lifejacket especially if clothing appears too bulky or heavy to swim in.
Waders and gumboots should be avoided as these can fill with water and make swimming extremely difficult if you end up in the water.
If trouble strikes, remain with the craft to increase chances of being located after capsize or swamping.
More information on hypothermia can be found at www.maritime.nsw.gov.au
Marine safety rules and practices to be overhauled
NSW Minister for Ports and Waterways, Joe Tripodi has announced major reforms to marine safety laws.
The reforms include the introduction of new penalties for dangerous behaviour and a compulsory practical component for aspiring boat skippers.
They give NSW Maritime and Water Police officers new powers to direct skippers and enforce boating safety laws.
“This is the biggest overhaul of marine safety rules and practices in a decade,” Mr Tripodi said.
“New penalties, including jail terms and fines, will apply for dangerous navigation, overloading a vessel, endangering public safety and driving while disqualified.
“NSW Maritime and Water Police officers will have new powers to enforce the law and direct boaters to act safely. “Boat licence requirements will be strengthened by requiring practical boating experience before a licence is issued and increasing penalties for operating a vessel while disqualified.
“NSW Maritime night-time patrols will also increase, with blitzes on vessel lights.
“New powers will give NSW Maritime and Water Police the mandate to immediately suspend registration when vessels are found operating outside the law. This includes vessels operating at night with insufficient lighting.
“These new measures will strengthen the culture of safe boating in NSW. “Our overall safety record is strong – in the last 15 years boat registrations in NSW have nearly doubled and licence numbers have increased by 50%, while fatal incidents have proportionally fallen.
“But any reckless behaviour on the water can be as dangerous as it is on our roads. These laws and powers will go a long way to reducing such behaviour and making sure skippers put safety first.” NSW Maritime will renew its focus on boating education, targeting lifejackets, skipper responsibility, offshore sailing training, boating near electrical crossings and behaviour in dangerous conditions such as crossing bars.
“We continue to believe prevention is better than cure. Our education programme will continue to build awareness of the safety precautions everyone should take while enjoying our waterways.”
Other elements of the package include:
• The creation of new offences for operating unsafe vessels;
• A new system of maritime alerts to warn of dangerous conditions, covering bar crossings, rock fishing and alpine boating;
• A requirement for vessels to display information for passengers on life jackets, maximum passenger numbers, restrictions on alcohol and skipper responsibilities;
• New height and signage requirements for overhead electrical crossings; and
• Changes to training and safety standards for offshore sail training in NSW.
Mr Tripodi also released NSW Maritime’s formal response to Office of Transport Safety Investigations reports on the collision between the Pam Burridge and Merinda, and the collision involving the Dawn Fraser and a dinghy in Walsh Bay.
“These incidents were not the catalyst for the announcement but they have influenced some of the changes outlined.”
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