BIA Victoria - Safe Boating Info

Marine Safety Victoria is the State's marine safety agency and is responsible for the administration of the Marine Act 1988 and the Marine Regulations 1999.

For information on boating safety visit Marine Safety Victoria www.marinesafety.vic.gov.au

Get on board with life jackets

Wearing a PFD is compulsory for all occupants when in an open area of the following vessels, while underway:
Power driven vessels up to and including 4.8 metres (m) in length and Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Canoes, kayaks, rowing boats
Off-the-beach sailing yachts, pedal boats and fun boats
Recreational tenders

A PFD must also be worn by all occupants of the following vessels at times of heightened risk when occupants are in an open area of a vessel which is under way:
Yachts (including monohull, trailerable and multihull yachts. Excludes off-the-beach yachts)
Power driven vessels greater than 4.8m but less than 12m

Heightened risk means:

- When crossing an ocean bar
- When boating alone
- When operating at night or in restricted visibility
- When the vessel is a yacht without safety barriers or safety harnesses in use
- When the vessel may capsize or be swamped or when occupants are at risk of falling overboard
- When operating in an area where a gale, storm or severe thunderstorm warning or severe weather warning issued by the Bureau of Meteorology is current.

PFDs must be worn by children under the age of 10 at all times.

Safe Operation

• Vessels are required to maintain a maximum speed of 5 knots when:
• Within 50m of swimmers, other vessels and fixed or floating structures
• Within 100m of Divers/Divers's flag
• Within 50m of water's edge (inland)
• Within 200m of water's edge (Coastal and Enclosed)
  

Don't Drink and Boat

.00 Blood Alcohol Limit applies for under 21 and supervisor
.05 Blood Alcohol Limit applies for over 21

Maintain a good lookout and operate at a safe speed

All occupants to put on PFDs

Raise the alarm using:
Marine Radio - 27MHz Ch 88, VHF Ch 16
Phone 000
Flares
EPIRB

Stay with your boat:
A vessel is a lot easier to spot than a swimmer
Anchor your boat to maintain position if safe to do so

Marine Safety Victoria Safe Boating Program

The Safe Boating Program is designed to educate boaters and other waterway users of their operational and behavioural responsibilities by establishing face-to-face contact with operators. This may occur on the water, at the boat ramp, at a boating safety expo or show or by conducting lectures and talks around the State.

Marine Safety Victoria's Boating Safety Officers conduct these programs which are designed to assist Victoria's recreational boaters by:

• providing expert safety advice
• conducting boat safety equipment checks
• establishing face-to-face contact with the boater

For further information contact Marine Safety Victoria on 1800 223 022

Other areas Marine Safety cover include:

• Where to go Boating in Victoria
• Recreational boat licences and boat safety
• Marine safety grants
• Vessel registration
• Commercial shipping and vessel survey

BIA would like to thank Marine Safety Victoria for the above information