November 2021

SAFE BOATING FOR LIFE

With weather warming up and Christmas and school holidays just around the corner more and more people will be out boating.

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport's Marine Safety team has launched a new Safe Boating for Life campaign to help remind people on the 'how to' and 'what if' of boating.

Whether you are checking out a new spot to catch a few, taking the family for a sea or river cruise, or jumping in for a day of skiing with mates, please always remember – maintain your boat, check and know where your safety equipment is and wear the correct lifejacket.

Check these safety tips off your list:

Keep your boat safe and ready to go with regular checks and servicing
Make sure everyone wears the correct lifejacket
Always check the weather before and during boating
Pack the right safety equipment and make sure it is in good condition
Know the limits of your boat
Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back
Stick to a safe speed when you’re out on the water

Check out our new Safe Boating For Life animated videos helping to remind everyone about how you can boat safely.

Our Marine Safety Officers will also be out and about promoting the Safe Boating for Life message across metro and regional waters and boat ramps. Come up and ask them about safe boating.

SAFETY

Routine dredging works at North Haven

Routine dredging works at North Haven (Please note the dredging area pictured above is to be used as a guide only) will commence from Wednesday, 24 November 2021 to maintain good water quality and safe water levels for boat users.

Boat users will still be able to use the marina entrance to launch their boat during works but are advised to exercise caution and be mindful of workers and other water users.

A 4 knot speed limit applies within the marina.

The discharge site for the dredged material is located approximately 600m North-West (seaward) of the marina entrance. This site will be marked during the works and must be avoided by all water users.

Works will be undertaken by Maritime Constructions (the Department’s contractor) in accordance with a Dredging licence issued by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

Works involve the removal of an accumulation of seagrass and sand from inside the channel extending out through the North Haven marina entrance. Works will occur both inside and outside of the channel entrance breakwaters.

Works are expected to be completed by the end of February 2022, weather permitting. The Notice to Mariners about the work is available here.

SAFETY

Swimming aid not meeting Australian Standard

Does your lifejacket meet accepted standards in Australia?

Our Marine Safety Officers regularly check that boaters wear lifejackets that meet the standards accepted by the regulations.

Boaters should be aware that children on boats should never use swimming aids designed for use in pools (pictured above). These do not meet the standards accepted by the regulations.

Also be careful if buying a lifejacket online from overseas. It must meet the standards accepted by the regulations to be used when boating on Australian waters.

Wearing the correct standard of lifejacket helps keep you safe while out boating. You also risk a fine if you do not comply with wearing a lifejacket that meets one of the accepted standards.

Need some help finding the right lifejacket? Try our Marine Safety SA lifejacket checking tool here.

Do you have an inflatable lifejacket? Visit the Australian New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group (ANZSBEG) and Boating Industry Australia (BIA) Lifejacket Portal to sign up for inflatable lifejacket service tips and find local lifejacket servicing stores.

Simpler way to a Special Permit

It has become simpler for young people aged 12-15 years to gain a Special Permit to operate a recreational vessel.

The requirement to pass a Special Permit practical (on water) examination has been removed for those who only want to operate under the supervision of a Boat Licence holder.

The Special Permit practical (on water) assessment remains in place for those 12-15 year old's wishing to operate unsupervised.

All Special Permit holders must still pass the Special Permit theory examination to gain their Special Permit. Get your knowledge up to date for the examination by reading the SA Recreational Boating Safety Handbook and practicing for the test here.

CHANGES FOR INDIVIDUALS ONLY WISHING TO OPERATE SUPERVISED:

If successful in passing the theory examination the Special Permit holder can:

operate any recreational vessel (other than a personal watercraft) fitted with an engine under the direct supervision of a person who holds a Boat Operator's Licence or a Temporary Boat Operator's Licence; and
act as an observer where a person is being towed by a vessel, provided the operator of the vessel holds a Boat Operator's Licence and is over the age of 18 years.

NO CHANGES FOR INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO OPERATE UNSUPERVISED:

If successful in passing the theory and practical examinations, the Special Permit holder can operate unsupervised under the following condition:

operate a recreational vessel between sunrise and sunset that is less than 4 metres in length and has a potential speed of 10 knots or less without supervision, providing the Special Permit holder and any passengers on the vessel are wearing an approved lifejacket.

Remember Special Permit holders cannot:

operate a personal watercraft – eg jet ski
operate a boat that is towing a water skier.

For more details on gaining your Special Permit please click here.

COMPETITION WINNER

Boat show lifejacket winner

A big congratulations to Bernadette who entered the competition to win a new lifejacket at the Club Marine SA Boat and Fishing show in October.

Bernadette's son Elliot was happy to receive his new lifejacket from Marine Safety Officers Sean and Dave (pictured above).

Thank you to everyone who entered the competition and came to have a chat with us.

SAFETY

Boaters operating in Port MacDonnell Harbor

If you are boating in waters in and around the Port MacDonnell Harbor please be advised that there may be seaweed suspended in waters.

Boaters are advised to exercise caution in the area. It is recommended that boaters monitor engine temperatures closely and check cooling water intakes and strainers for potential blockages.

Marine Safety SA staff involved in Movember in front of the Movember boat

Marine Safety SA Mo Growers

The Marine Safety SA team pictured above is supporting Movember this month by fundraising during November. They are helping to raise awareness and make a difference in men’s health issues including mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Our Marine Safety SA boats are also sporting their own Mo's this year. Keep your eye out for our 'Mo boats' and Marine Safety Officers out on the water.

If you would like to support the Marine Safety SA fundraising effort you can visit our fundraising page here.

CONSULTATION

Commercial operators - Have your say on lifejackets

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) are currently exploring practical options to increase lifejacket wear on certain domestic commercial vessels.

Safety data and research  collected by AMSA strongly  indicates  wearing a lifejacket significantly improves chances of survival if you fall overboard.

Since 1 July 2013, 34 incidents on domestic commercial vessels have resulted in 44 people  drowning.

Analysis of these incidents allowed AMSA to identify what parts of industry present a higher risk of a person falling overboard.

AMSA have put together three possible options for lifejacket wear to increase safety. Please provide AMSA with industry feedback to ensure the final regulations are relevant and practical.

OPERATION

Borders opening up

With borders across Australia opening up, more and more people may take the opportunity to boat interstate.

Make sure you know the rules of where you are boating. They can vary from state to state.

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport's Marine Safety SA team is a member of the Australian New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group (ANZSBEG).

The group works together to identify national recreational boating issues and addresses them through coordinated public education strategies. The group aims to reduce incidents and fatalities across the Australian recreational fleet.