Andrew Ettingshausen (ET) Answers Some FAQs

Lifejacket Questions:

1. When do I need to wear a lifejacket?

Conditions on the water can change fast and unpredictably, so don’t wait for an emergency to wear your lifejacket. It’s like wearing a seatbelt -- not much use putting it on after an accident.

Lifejackets save lives. They will keep you afloat until rescued if your boat should capsize or you fall overboard.

It is a good idea to wear it at times of heightened risk such as:

• Boating in poor weather conditions;
• Travelling on the water at night;
• When a squall or storm approaches; and
• Crossing coastal bars when lifejackets are not just a good idea but are compulsory to wear.

If you have children on board or people who are poor swimmers, encourage them to wear their lifejacket at all times when in open areas of a boat where it is possible to fall directly overboard.

Ensure each person has a jacket of appropriate size and type.

2. What type of lifejacket should I get?

There are three types of lifejackets approved for recreational boating.

Type 1 Lifejacket

Type 1 lifejackets offer the highest level of protection from drowning, due to their buoyant collar which keeps you in a safe floating position in the water. There are two types: fixed buoyancy and inflatable (either auto or manually inflatable).

Type 1 lifejackets are:

• Compulsory to have on board for everyone on the open seas;
• Recommended for remote inland waters, where search and rescue times may be long and conditions rough; and
• Recommended for passengers of small boats, whenever conditions are rough.

Type 2 Lifejacket

This type is suitable for aquatic sports where boating activities usually have people in support craft or nearby and rescue times are likely to be short. They are not designed to maintain a person in a safe floating position.

Type 2 lifejackets are suitable for activities such as sailing, water skiing, kayaking, canoeing, wind surfing.

Personal watercraft like jetskis can be ridden using a type 2 lifejacket.

Type 3 Lifejacket

This has similar buoyancy as the type 2 lifejacket but comes in a wider range of colours. Water skiers and personal watercraft riders favour these jackets.

They are not recommended for general boating use because the colours are less visible in search and rescue operations.

3. How many lifejackets do I need on board?

You need one lifejacket for every person on board. Make sure they are in good condition and accessible at all times.

If you have inflatable lifejackets, remember that they must be serviced at least every 12 months, or in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, by the manufacturer or their authorised service agent.

Alcohol questions:

1. Why do I need to watch my drinking when afloat?

When afloat your coordination, judgement, vision, balance and reaction time can decline up to three times faster when consuming alcohol. The boating environment - waves, motion, vibration, engine noise, weather, wind and spray – can multiply its effects.

In Australia and New Zealand over recent years, alcohol has been involved in one third of all boating fatalities. Everyone aboard needs to take care, because studies have shown that boat passengers are just as likely as skippers to be involved in incidents such as capsizing or falling overboard, as a result of drinking alcohol.

So remember, don’t multiply the risks – go easy on the drink.

2. Who can be pulled over for a Random Breath Test on the water?

The skipper of a boat which is underway may be subject to a Random Breath Test (RBT). This applies to the person operating the boat and that means anyone steering or exercising control over the course or direction of a boat; in other words the skipper or designated driver. This includes the observer in a boat which is towing people  as well as anyone being towed.

If your boat is moored, berthed or at anchor you won’t be subject to an RBT, but the best advice is to remain under the legal limit, in case you need to move the boat.

So, if you are the skipper … you are responsible.

3. What are the limits for alcohol consumption while boating?

The alcohol limits when boating are:

• less than 0.02 for commercial vessel operators;
• 0.00 for recreational vessel operators aged under 18 years;
• less than 0.05 for recreational vessel operators over 18 years.

Be careful because heavy penalties apply for being caught driving a boat drunk.

Navigate Questions

1. Are there special speed limits for boats at night?

At night or in any conditions where your visibility is restricted (eg fog, glare, smoke, darkness), you must slow down to keep a safe speed. A “safe speed” means a speed  at which you can stop and avoid a collision.

Remember, the faster you go, the faster you will approach hazards and hitting a hazard at speed can have a serious impact on you, your passengers and your boat.

Also important when boating at night is to have appropriate lights in order to be seen, and to keep a good lookout.

For more information on the right lights you should have for your size and type of boat, where best to mount them and when they should be used, visit www.maritime.nsw.gov.au.

2. Where can I learn what the colours and markings on all the navigation beacons signify?

Navigation markers and beacons are important aids to safe boating when travelling on any waterway. Throughout NSW they conform to a universal system of colours and markings to indicate where prominent hazards are, although you should combine these visual guides with reference to a map or chart and local knowledge of the area, particularly when travelling in the dark.

For more information on the navigation system, pick up a copy of the free NSW Maritime Boating Handbook or go to www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

3. What do I need to do when passing a NO WASH sign?

NO WASH signs are placed in areas where wash from vessels can cause damage, injury or annoyance to other vessels, the shoreline or people. Every boat’s skipper must comply with these signs.

Boat wash -- the turbulence created by your boat as it moves through the water – can be big enough to capsize small dinghies, damage moored boats and contribute to foreshore erosion. The size and impact of your boat’s wash will vary according to its weight and the amount of water it displaces, its speed and planing attitude, as well as other factors such as water depth.

When you see a NO WASH sign and a speed limit sign, do not automatically assume that you can travel at the maximum speed indicated. You may need to travel at a slower speed to ensure your boat is not creating wash. If in doubt, it is recommended that you take the following actions:

• As you approach the restricted area, reduce speed;
• At the start of the NO WASH zone, take your engine(s) out of gear;
• Put the engine(s) back in gear and proceed with just enough speed to have steering control; and
• Look behind you occasionally, to see if your boat is creating wash. If it is, slow down. No boat will produce wash at a speed just above engine idle.

4. I am a little nervous about crossing the bar to get offshore from our local launching ramp. Do you have some advice?

Bar crossings are among the most challenging and potentially dangerous manoeuvres of recreational boating. Many skippers have been caught out by waves seeming to rise out of nowhere to break over their boat.
 
The first thing is to know when the conditions are too dangerous to attempt a bar crossing. NSW Maritime has a system of live web cameras along the coast of NSW to assist in trip preparation, and you can visit the website at www.maritime.nsw.gov.au to assess conditions before going afloat. But NSW Maritime is only one place to check and all skippers should regularly check weather forecasts.

Other key issues to think about are boat suitability, safety equipment like lifejackets and EPIRB, and your own experience. Perhaps the final test is if you are in doubt about your ability to make a safe crossing … don’t go out.

NSW Maritime has a host of information on crossing bars which can be found at www.maritime.nsw.gov.au

5. People talk about the skipper being responsible for keeping to a “safe speed” … what is that?

Every skipper must keep to a speed that is safe for the conditions and their craft. That means a skipper has to be alert to the ever changing nature of our waterways, whether it be due to wind, waves, currents, tides or other craft. For example, a powerboat being used in a river in calm daylight conditions may be able to move at a certain speed, but at night with wind and chop that same boat should go a lot slower. The skipper is responsible to always keep to a speed that is safe.

6. What advice can you give me about handling my boat in extreme conditions?

A sudden, unpredicted squall can catch even the most careful boater, so we all need to prepare and plan for the worst and keep a good lookout for tell-tale clouds and white cap waves.

If you are close enough, run for the shore, a safe harbour or the lee of an island where the wind cannot generate large waves. Sudden squalls usually only last for a short period and sometimes precede a change in wind direction, usually blowing at much stronger speeds than the wind that will follow.

If you doubt your chances of safely running back to harbour you may prefer to ride out the initial onslaught by keeping your bow into the wind and waves. The main criteria is to keep a speed sufficient to allow you to steer the vessel, but no faster. Without power to maintain steerage, a vessel will drift side on (beam on) to the sea and be vulnerable to capsize.

A sea anchor, or a strong bucket tied to the bows will help to keep you pointing into the waves should your engine fail.

Make sure everyone onboard always wears their lifejackets at times of heightened risk. Report your situation to rescue authorities, secure all moveable items in the boat so that they do not become missiles, ensure everyone is holding on firmly and have the EPIRB ready for use in case of capsize. If that occurs, stay with the boat unless very close to shore.

7. What should I do when meeting a boat head on in a channel – who gives way?

Every skipper must keep to the starboard or right-hand side of a channel. It is the law of the sea and helps to keep boat traffic safe. Mind you, even if you are in the right and someone is doing the wrong thing, it is best to slow right down, let them know you are concerned and do what you can to avoid a collision.

Plan & Prepare Questions:

1. How do I get the latest weather information?

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issues forecasts each day at around 5:00am, 10:30am and 4:00pm. The Bureau tailors the weather forecasts to the following zones:

• North Coast (Tweed Heads to Wooli),
• Mid-North Coast (Wooli to Seal Rocks),
• Hunter (Seal Rocks to Broken Bay),
• Sydney (Broken Bay to Port Hacking),
• Sydney Enclosed Waters (Pittwater, Port Jackson and Botany Bay),
• Illawarra (Port Hacking to Ulladulla) South Coast (Ulladulla to Gabo Island).

Warnings for strong winds (winds averaging 25 to 33 knots), gale force winds (34 to 47 knots) and storm force (48 knots or more) are issued when necessary and updated every six hours.

Forecasts and warnings are broadcast frequently over AM and FM radio stations. Warnings are also available by phoning 1300 659 218 and selecting Option 3.

Or visit the Bureau’s website www.bom.gov.au for the latest forecast, as well as important information about the terminology used to describe wind speeds and wave heights.

2. Who should I advise before setting out on a boating trip?

Leave a copy of your route plan with a reliable person who can sound the alarm to the relevant authorities if you’re overdue or missing.  Include a description of your vessel, planned stops, number and names of passengers and when you expect to return.

Also use the marine radio network on VHF, HF or 27 MHz to log on and provide trip details. Always remember to log off upon arrival at your destination to avoid needless searches.

For more information about the marine radio network including a map with the locations, call signs and frequencies of VMR stations, visit www.marinerescuensw.com.au.

3. Do I have to carry an EPIRB onboard?

At the end of March 2009 it became a requirement for all registered vessels, regardless of length, navigating two nautical miles or more offshore to carry an EPIRB (emergency Position Indicating Rescue Beacon).

Around the same time, satellites and aircraft stopped processing distress alerts from the outdated analogue 121.5 MHz distress beacons. That means you need to carry a 406 MHz EPIRB.

The 406 EPIRBs offer a much greater degree of accuracy for Search and Rescue operations when activated in the event of an emergency. They must be registered with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and carry a registration sticker. They carry a unique identification code, transmitted when the beacons is activated.

The unique code provides vital information about the registered boat and its owner – ensuring a faster and more effective search and rescue response.

For more information go to www.amsa.gov.au

4. How do I know if my boat is suitable?

Different hull shapes suit different water conditions and loads. The design, construction, stability, flotation and maintenance will all be factors in the safety and performance of your vessel. Boats also have minimum power needs and maximum power limitations.

Boats designed for use on inland or sheltered waters are not usually suited for use in open waters or along the coast where waves are larger. And the right size boat will depend on the number of people you intend to carry, the amount of equipment, provisions and goods you intend to load into it, as well as the type of conditions you expect to experience.

Boats fitted with appropriate internal buoyancy such as foam, will remain afloat when capsized or swamped. This improves the chances of rescue and survival in the event of an incident, particularly in isolated areas or offshore. Most boats built on or after 1 July 2006 must have an Australian Builders Plate attached which gives safety information including buoyancy performance.

When considering a longer trip or one in more open waters than your normal boating area, it may be a good idea to consult with the manufacturer of your boat or a person with appropriate marine knowledge who can assess its suitability for the proposed passage.

5. What is the marine radio network and how do I log on?

Volunteer marine rescue units maintain a comprehensive VHF, HF and 27 MHz radio coverage of the marine bands along the NSW coast. There are 56 volunteer units of which 51 provide marine radio services. Many of these are open 24 hours, seven days.

All volunteer radio bases offer a local safety watch (or log-on) for boats. Before setting off on your trip, log on with the local base nearest to your departure point and give them details of your boat, names and number of passengers onboard, destination and estimated time of arrival.

They will suggest a radio report schedule and forward your details to the next base along your intended route, as well as the nominated destination port, reducing the area of search to less than 25 nautical miles in the event of losing contact with you.

It is important to contact the next base as requested to establish and maintain a useful ‘last position’ and to log off on arrival at your destination, to avoid the activation of a needless search for you.

6. How do I join the volunteer marine rescue organisation of NSW?

Volunteer marine rescue in NSW benefits the boating community and over many years it has been carried out by three organisations, the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol and Volunteer Rescue Association.

Recently a new rescue group called Marine Rescue NSW has been established, unifying the three existing volunteer organisations and receiving increased government funding to ensure that the great work of NSW’s marine rescue volunteers continues well into the future.

Applications to join the new organisation are welcome; for details visit www.marinerescuensw.com.au

Got another question?