An update from Marine Safety Tasmania (MAST)
Boating Season 2022-23
The season is well and truly underway. A number of boat ramps have been really busy including Low Head, Stanley and down south at Margate. The sailing season in the south has officially commenced with the Sail Past on Saturday of the Combined Clubs on the Derwent. The Spring Bay Boat Club at Triabunna also held its opening day on Sunday. The Port Dalrymple Yacht Club opening day is this coming Saturday, 9 October.
Survey – Boatsafe Partners
MAST recently sent a survey to all our Boatsafe Partners to see if they wished the partnership to continue.
Support for the Boatsafe Program was overwhelmingly supported by the dealers and retailers involved. This program started a number of years ago with MAST going on-site to train staff. A training booklet was also provided at the time for staff to refer to when answering questions from customers relating to MAST legislation and safety equipment.
A new training program is currently being developed and all the Boatsafe Partners will shortly have new information to reference, including the new Partners who have recently joined. For a complete list of MAST Boatsafe Partners, please refer to the attached link. We thank the boating public for their support of the Boatsafe Program.
Infrastructure Projects
The Cygnet Jetty has now been completed which will be a great asset for those boating in the Channel and Huon River areas. The jetty has a lower landing and is around 100 metres south of the old timber jetty and adjacent to the Council owned and managed boat ramp.
Stage 1 of the Dover ramp upgrade has been completed. This included the extension of the approach to the ramp and walkway. Stage 2 has now commenced and incorporates a makeover of the ramp and walkway. Council is also improving the parking area.
The approach to Burns Bay at St Helens is also due to start in November and depending on contractor availability, Apex Point at Nubeena will also see some upgrades in December or early next year.
A new walkway at Burnie is also going through the consultation phase with Council. MAST is excited about this project as loading and unloading at the ramp will be considerably improved and much safer.
MAST’s Summer Safety Campaign
MAST’s summer safety campaign will commence in December and go through to Easter. This year our campaign will be directed through Southern Cross, WIN, and statewide radio. Let’s all have a safe and happy summer season and beyond for 2022-2023. Remember, if you’re the skipper you’re responsible.
Stakeholder Survey
A survey will be released in early December through Boatwise and social media. The survey will be our first major “stakeholder” survey for several years. The survey comprises 20 questions which will take around 10 minutes to complete. The survey is being conducted by EMRS and a number of questions have been selected from previous surveys so trends can be measured.
We hope everyone will get behind the survey as it does help MAST in delivering great safety outcomes. A QR Barcode will be available in Boatwise to take you online to the survey. The code will also be available on the MAST Facebook page and website. Those who complete the survey will be placed in the draw for a voucher at one of our Boatsafe Partners in each region.
Electronic Visual Distress Signals (EVDS)
Legislation is under development to include EVDS as an alternative to handheld pyrotechnic flares. It is hoped this legislation can be introduced in the second half of 2023. The proposal is:
- In sheltered waters the four handheld flares would not be required, provided the boat owner is carrying an approved EVDS, a GPS-enhanced EPIRB, and a VHF radio.
- In open waters, the four handheld flares can also be substituted with an EVDS, but the two rocket/parachute flares will still be required, as well as the EPIRB and VHF radio.
- The EVDS must be product approved by MAST, with certain features such as being able to float, having an automatic SOS built in, a waterproof switch and a 6-hour battery life at a minimum.
Approved products will be listed on the MAST website once the legislation is introduced. An EVDS is not as simple as a Dolphin torch!
Older Boats
During our visits to Boat Safe partners, it became evident that old boats being repowered or engines being serviced for the first time in many years is common. It also became obvious that not one dealer we have spoken to will repower any boat that is not safe for the sake of a quick profit. All those dealers must be thanked for taking safety above dollars.
MAST has the ability to cancel or suspend a registration and last year MAST cancelled a number of registrations for boats that were considered unsafe. Once the issues are pointed out, the owner generally agrees to have the boat fixed to enable a re-registration to occur.
We are seeing many vessels being sold through social media or on the side of the road which are really not fit for purpose.
Thanks to everyone for making safety a priority.
Cray (Rock Lobster) Season
Everyone who has a cray pot looks forward to the opening of the season. This year a number of changes have been made including size limits and cutting the tail fan. It will also be legal to share your catch provided certain parameters are met. It is important we are all familiar with the changes. Please follow the link below to ensure you are aware of the new rules.
Tas Maritime Radio
Tas Maritime Radio provides a great service to boaters in Tasmania. The volunteer radio station has been looking after the boating community since the 1970s. The Tasmanian Smallcraft Marine Radio Group (TSMRG) was formed by Barry McCann and Les Collis in 1975 to establish an economical means of communication between pleasure craft and a shore station.
MAST and Tas Maritime Radio (TMR) are offering a discount for the first 300 people who join TMR from 1 October. So much information is provided via your VHF radio which, for many, remains turned off when out on the boat. Many lives have been saved due to the magnificent volunteers who man the radio 24 hours a day in the interest of marine safety.
Please follow this link to join or just to read about this great organisation that is helping us all out when on the water every day. It will only take a few minutes to see the great work they are doing.
