NSW Easter boating safety campaign targets speeding

7:46 AM Thu 1 Apr 2010 GMT

The Easter long weekend is one of the busiest periods of the boating season. NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officers will target speeding on the water this weekend.

Ports and Waterways Minister Paul McLeay said speeding was the second biggest boating safety issue after lifejacket non-compliance, representing around 17 per cent of all recreational boating fines, and was a factor in 23 boating incidents in 2008/09.

'During Operation Safe Speed from 2 to 5 April 2010, NSW Maritime will raise awareness among recreational boaters of the importance of complying with speed restrictions and adjusting their speed to suit the conditions,' Mr McLeay said.

Throughout the Easter long weekend, Boating Safety Officers will be talking to skippers on the State's waterways about how they determine a safe speed, which includes taking into account the weather, visibility, congestion, navigation hazards and the manoeuvrability of the vessel.

'They will also raise awareness of the skipper's responsibility to keep a proper lookout and the particular dangers involving towing sports which are conducted under high speed such as water-skiing.'

'While this is largely an education exercise, Boating Safety Officers will also monitor compliance with restricted speed zones as well as licensing, safety equipment and lifejacket requirements.'

.600 on-the-spot were fines issued to recreational boaters for exceeding the speed limit in NSW in 2008/09.

.This was an increase on 559 issued the previous 12 months. Penalties for speed infringements on State waters can range from $100 to $5500.

.In 2008/09, there were 23 incidents involving excessive speed on NSW waterways with five being serious incidents, resulting in seven people suffering serious injuries but no fatalities.

.This compared with 12 serious incidents (out of 27 total incidents involving speeding), resulting in three fatalities and nine people suffering serious injuries in 2007/08.

Rules and advice for boaters
General
. All vessels must travel at a 'safe speed' at all times.

. The safe speed varies with circumstances and conditions, and is the speed at which the vessel can be stopped in time to avoid any danger which arises suddenly.

. Skippers must continually assess the safety of the vessel's speed.

In judging a safe speed skippers must consider a number of issues including:

.Visibility - drive slowly in rain, fog, mist, smoke or glare.

.At night, take special care because many potential hazards may not be easily seen.

.Background shore lighting may confuse you.

.Other vessels - slow down on busy waterways and when near moored or anchored vessels, working vessels showing special signals and large vessels which have difficulty manoeuvring.

.Be aware of navigation hazards - slow down in shallow areas, or in unfamiliar waterways. Water depth can vary and change frequently. Not all hazards may be marked or lit, and signs, buoys, marks or lights may have shifted or vandalized.

.Wind, waves and currents may adversely affect the manoeuvrability of a vessel.

.Remember vessel manoeuvrability, the ability to stop or turn depends on the speed travelled, wind and current and the boat's design (such as hull shape, engine and propeller type and number). If your vessel does not have a speedometer, slow down in a restricted speed zone so you don't risk exceeding the limit.

Further information is available at www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/campaigns/speed.html

by NSW Government Media

Newsfeed supplied by

#News #Cruising #Boating #Skiing

NSW Easter boating safety campaign targets speeding

Sports/News

Weather Forecasts & Live Reports

Buy & Sell/Classifieds