There is nothing quite like packing up the boat and heading off across the water to make all your worries go away. If you are new to boating however, there are a lot of safety rules that you need to be aware of before you head off for the weekend.
As the skipper, you are responsible for the safety of your boat and everyone on board, making sure that the boat is not overloaded, properly equipped and is in good repair. So let’s take a look at some of the boat safety requirements in Queensland, which will ensure that all of your boating trips are not only enjoyable, but also safe.
Australian Builders Plate
This must be affixed to your boat if it has been built or imported since 1st July 2006. This plate contains important information about your boat’s operational capacity, ensuring that you always meet the manufacturer’s recommendations. For example, your boat’s loading capacity, so you don’t allow too many people on board at one time and the maximum engine size, in case you need to replace or upgrade the engines.
Safety equipment on your boat
The type of safety equipment you need to carry on your boat depends on whether your boat is registered and where you will be operating your boat. Registered and unregistered boats need to have an EPIRB on board, which is an electronic device that when activated in an emergency helps search and rescue locate your position. If you operate beyond smooth waters however, you must carry a 406MHz digital EPIRB and it must comply with Australian Standards and be registered with the AMSA.
You must also carry flares on your boat: two red hand-held flares and two orange smoke flares on board, when in partially smooth waters or beyond. The same applies for firefighting equipment: portable fire extinguishers that are capable of extinguishing ordinary combustibles, flammable and combustible liquids, flammable gases, fire involving energised electrical equipment and cooking fats and oils.
Lifejackets must be carried by both registered and unregistered boats at all times, with specific types of jackets for operation in smooth waters (level 50, 100, 150, 275 or level 50 special purpose), partially smooth waters (level 50, 100, 150 or 275) and beyond partially smooth waters (level 100, 150 or 275).
Both registered and unregistered boats must also carry a signalling device (torch, lantern or glow stick) if operating in darkness, regardless of where the boat is operated, and registered boats must also carry a V sheet, which outlines the necessary emergency signals and when to use them, such as ‘mayday, mayday, mayday’ and ‘pan, pan, pan’.
There are other safety measures which all boats should carry when on the water and you can check for these on the Queensland Government Marine Safety Website. It is important to remember that boat safety rules can be different across Australia, so make sure to check the marine safety website of your state, before heading off on the water.
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If you’ve decided to take the plunge and invest in a boat, National Finance Solutions can help. We’ll compare loan offers from a wide range of lenders and present you with only the best options. With our simple application process, we’ll give you a comprehensive quote, quickly so you don’t have to wait. We know you’re busy so sit back and let us take care of everything. You’ll be on the water in no time at all.
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