Safety Equipment.

[rayke1938]

Just been having a read of the Maritime Safety Info in the Beacon to beacon.

The way I interpret the regs are that under the General Safety Obligation it is compulsory for all recreational craft to carry flares, v sheet and life jacket, epirb , dependent what waters you are operating in whether the craft is registered or not.

There is no mention for exeception for yaks or canoes.

They also recommend navigational equip and sufficient drinking water.

Wonder what the water police would do if they catch you in partially smooth waters in a yak.

Cheers

Ray

[Angus]

Ray: Define "Dependant on whether the craft is registered or not"?

Kayaks of course not being registered, do they need to meet these requirements.

By the way I think they probably should as I think a Yak is more vulnerable than a boat.

I just wondering how the red tape operates...

Angus

[Shrimpo]

I think kayaks are exempt because they dont need to be registered (90% sure) BUT I would defintely carry flares, V sheet and a compass very minimum. Also a GPS if available.

[benno573]

it will be required to carry a pfd lifejacket (type 1 for offshore) at all times and an ebirb when operating in offshore/open waters. these are compulsary requirements for all craft, registered or not. check the qld transport marine safety website under safety equipment http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/

[rayke1938]

I just contacted Water police at Wynnum and was advised that all craft that are not registrable are exempt however if there was an accident you could still be prosecuted under the general safety obligation. He said to contact marine safety qld for full interpretation of the rules. He said that there was a drowning from a canoe at noosa a few years back and the owner of the canoe was successfully prosecuted as no one was wearing life jackets.Looks like it is up to you be prudent and cover your bum.

Cheers

Ray

[Jordan]

so a lifejacket is suficient in a kayak provided you dont go offshore?

[benno573]

based on the msq site yeah that is correct. that is of course, assuming they are group under "non-registerable craft"

[Jordan]

which we are arnt we? (we meaning kayakers)

[kriso]

id wanna pfd if i was out paddling at the reefs. better safe then sorry, they could be refering to small engine tinnies though?

[benno573]

i would say so. it is a craft that is not registered. check the site for definitions. i would but have to run to a meeting. :laugh:

[bootyinblue]

Skimmed through this which is the legisation refering to safety equipment. In Part 3 it refers to equipment needed for vessels that are not required to be registered and it looks pretty much the same as all other boats.

Transport Operations (Marine

Safetyâ€â€Recreational Ships

Miscellaneous Equipment)

Standard 2006

The section 60(2)f refers to the TOMS Regs and states that

(f) a recreational ship thatâ€â€

(i) is not powered; or

(ii) is powered by an engine of less than 3kW;

So bottom line that I can read is that although there is no need for registration, all safety equipment is as per a registered vessel operating in smooth or partially smooth waters whatever the case may be.

But that then goes against what the MSQ website says..... go figure!

[rayke1938]

I think that is all comes down to the general safety obligation and I wouldnt like to be the poor bugger to test it in court.You would probably get away with it providing you didnt have a passenger on board where you are responsible for their safety.

Cheers

Ray

[bootyinblue]

Yea pretty sound advice Ray, just all looked a bit double dutch to me. I have looked at it once before when asked and came back with the same result that it goes on smooth, partially smooth, and 'rough' water areas and minimum levels of gear required regardles of registration status.

[Gazza]

Just to open a can of worms what about Surfies I've seen them out there you never see one with a pfd where do you draw the line ????

Gaz