Safety Checks - Brisbane Waters - Offshore

[pelican]

Best read this one first

Media Release - Wednesday, 11 February 2009

Offshore safety equipment checks

NSW Maritime and Gosford Police are joining together this Saturday to conduct safety checks on offshore equipment in Brisbane Waters.

NSW Maritime Hawkesbury/Broken Bay senior boating officer Darryl Lennox said boating safety officers will be patrolling Brisbane Waters doing spot checks on offshore safety equipment on Saturday 14 February.

“Offshore boating is a great experience though it has special challenges and skippers need to ensure their boat and crew are up to the challenge,” Mr Lennox said.

“If something goes wrong offshore, help can be a long way away, so the best advice is to be prepared and carry the correct safety gear for the type of vessel you’re operating and fully functioning communications equipment.”

Skippers will be reminded of the need to:

* Check the weather before each voyage and if in doubt, don’t go out

* Ensure their vessel is in good working order and is appropriate for the operating conditions

* Wear lifejackets when crossing coastal bars

* Have a marine band radio onboard when more than 2 nautical miles offshore.

* Ensure the vessel has enough clean fuel for the journey and if possible some in reserve, just in case

The marine radio can be used to monitor the weather, to log on and off with the volunteer network so someone knows where you are and your estimated time of return. This also allows for assistance or rescue to be provided in the event that something goes wrong or return contact is not made.

The boating safety officers will also check to ensure any vessel required to carry an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) has switched to a 406MHz beacon or has ordered one.

“In February 2009, the international system of monitoring distress signals from a 121.5MHz beacon was switched off and only the superior digital signal of a 406 beacon is now effective,” Mr Lennox said.

“However, because of a world wide shortage of digital beacons and delivery delays, skippers found not carrying a 406 EPIRB will be given a warning rather than a fine, providing they can prove a digital distress beacon has been ordered.

“This commonsense approach for recreational boaters will continue until 1 September, when the availability of digital EPIRBs will be reviewed.”

Media contact: Neil Patchett 0418 279 465

http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/news/media-...y_offshore.html

Media Release - Wednesday, 11 February 2009

Offshore safety equipment checks

NSW Maritime and Gosford Police are joining together this Saturday to conduct safety checks on offshore equipment in Brisbane Waters.

NSW Maritime Hawkesbury/Broken Bay senior boating officer Darryl Lennox said boating safety officers will be patrolling Brisbane Waters doing spot checks on offshore safety equipment on Saturday 14 February.

“Offshore boating is a great experience though it has special challenges and skippers need to ensure their boat and crew are up to the challenge,” Mr Lennox said.

“If something goes wrong offshore, help can be a long way away, so the best advice is to be prepared and carry the correct safety gear for the type of vessel you’re operating and fully functioning communications equipment.”

Skippers will be reminded of the need to:

* Check the weather before each voyage and if in doubt, don’t go out

* Ensure their vessel is in good working order and is appropriate for the operating conditions

* Wear lifejackets when crossing coastal bars

* Have a marine band radio onboard when more than 2 nautical miles offshore.

* Ensure the vessel has enough clean fuel for the journey and if possible some in reserve, just in case

The marine radio can be used to monitor the weather, to log on and off with the volunteer network so someone knows where you are and your estimated time of return. This also allows for assistance or rescue to be provided in the event that something goes wrong or return contact is not made.

The boating safety officers will also check to ensure any vessel required to carry an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) has switched to a 406MHz beacon or has ordered one.

“In February 2009, the international system of monitoring distress signals from a 121.5MHz beacon was switched off and only the superior digital signal of a 406 beacon is now effective,” Mr Lennox said.

“However, because of a world wide shortage of digital beacons and delivery delays, skippers found not carrying a 406 EPIRB will be given a warning rather than a fine, providing they can prove a digital distress beacon has been ordered.

“This commonsense approach for recreational boaters will continue until 1 September, when the availability of digital EPIRBs will be reviewed.”

Media contact: Neil Patchett 0418 279 465

Edited February 13, 2009 by pelican