Peter Hopkins, Manager Recreational Boating was invited to represent Marine and Safety Tasmania at the recent Canadian Safe Boating Symposium in Montreal.
This is a copy of his presentation to presented to delegates on the 25th of September 2010.
5. Recreational boating was previously administered by
five Marine Boards around the State.
Marine and Safety Tasmania was formed in 1997 by
the Government.
Coronial records - 46 Fatalities between 1987-1999.
Recreational Boating Safety Review was
commissioned in 1999 by the Tasmanian Government.
6.
7. To look at and analyse coronial records back to
1987.
Survey all registered boat owners and clubs
52.5% response rate - or over 8,000 –returned
Recommendations made including:
education
Life Jackets not to be made compulsory
Recommendations made prior to another Coronial
enquiry.
8. The traditional recreational boater was male (94%)
and over 40 (75%).
The main reason for boating was fishing
Did not belong to a club.
Owned a boat 3-6 meters in length (80%).
Went boating 11-20 times per year within two
miles of the shore or in the lakes.
Over 40% of those surveyed indicated they had
been in a situation that had given them some
concern for their safety.
9.
10. The results mirrored the recreational boating survey:
This was confirmed by a national study carried out
by Dr Peter O’Connor.
11. Five drown from one boat in deplorable conditions
Older style 14’6” fibreglass boat
Gale warning had been issued
Lee shore
Not wearing life jackets
Opening of cray season
Boat over loaded with pots, nets, gear and crew
Front page photo in daily papers of 5 bodies on rocks
◦
12. Coroners Report July 2000
It be made mandatory for crew in a
boat to be wearing an approved
flotation device or life jacket
This one incident was the catalyst to
change boating in Tasmania to what we
know today.
13.
14.
15.
16. Government decides in November 2000
Media embrace announcement
Regulatory Impact Statement not required
No public consultation
January 1 2001 change implemented
To legislate or educate?
Why 6 metres?
17. The “average” boater needed to be reached –
which was the majority of stakeholders
$10.00 safety levy for improved services to be
added to Registration fees
Increased enforcement required
Safety Kit posted including safe boating
information and capacity labels
19. Life Jackets alone were not the answer
Specific need to relate to and engage the boater
in all aspects of boating
80% are non-club members
Involve Dealers and Chandleries
32. Boaters are keen to learn
Improved safety gear on boats
Voluntary carriage of non-mandatory safety gear eg:
EPIRBS, Flares
Better facilities have enabled boaters to reach different
destinations
Boating is growing
35. Figure at left
shows pre- and
post-law
drowning
Mandatory PFD
wear for
vessels under 6
metres took
effect on 1
January 2001
36.
37. Other safety initiatives must be implemented to
make boaters safe and interested
Educate and Legislate
Communication and how to deliver
Give boater back something tangible
Gain respect from the boater
These will help build a safety culture
38. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Motor <6m Sail <6m Inflatable Sail >6m Motor >6m PWC
%ofboaters
Safety awareness 2002-2007 ( by boat type )
Much more safety conscious
A little more safety conscious
About the same
Becoming complacent
Not as safety conscious
Unsure
39. Complacency
Servicing of Inflatable
Life Jackets
Maintain safety culture
with new initiatives
Communication and
how to deliver
40. Use of Lifejackets in
other Australian
States
New South Wales
• Under 12 yrs on a vessel
less than 4.8 metres at all
times
• On a vessel less than 8
metres nd in the open
area of a vessel when
underway
• Heightened risk in all
vessels – determined by
skipper
Queensland
• All occupants of open vessels less
than 4.8m while navigating coastal
bars;
• All children under 12 years of age
in an open vessel that is underway
and less than 4.8m in length;
• All occupants of a personal
watercraft (PWC); and
when being towed
Victoria
• All people <4.8m; off
the beach yachts
• Times of heightened
risk between 4.8m -12m
– barways, night
operation; solo
operation South Australia
• Not required to be
worn but must have
aboard.
• Some situations on
Canoes/Kayaks
Western Australia
• Not required to be
worn but must have
aboard