The Water Police have indicated that from 1 October they will be checking boats for registration compliance. As clubs should be aware, the NCA has introduced a new tinny registration protocol, that has additional requirements for clubs to have fulfilled. Please ensure that all tinnies are registered, and that all tinny drivers are carrying their licences.

ALL A.C.T. TINNY drivers MUST have a NSW BOAT DRIVER’S licence, irrespective of the potential speed of their coaching boat. This A.C.T. requirement is different from that in N.S.W.

Ignorance of the local regulations will be hard to argue, given that you have been told.

The message from Paul Cartwright from the Water Police is reproduced below

The Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 delegates members of the Australian Federal Police (SRG Maritime) to act as Maritime Safety Inspectors (MSI) on behalf of AMSA.

This delegation requires SRG Maritime members as Inspectors to enforce the provisions of the National Laws on waterways, both locally here within the A.C.T and nationally during Maritime operations. These powers include boarding vessels for the purpose of inspection/compliance and to ensure the vessel Master/Owner is complying with those laws in regards to:

Safe vessel operation and Maritime safety compliance (including on-board safety equipment and passenger numbers);
Sighting of vessel survey certificates, certificates of operation, vessel log books and other relevant documentation; and
Sighting of current and valid operating certificates for Crewing requirements, dependant on vessel classification and area of operations.

For the information of all lake users, from 01 October 2014 SRG Maritime will commence random vessel inspections and speak to vessel operators of all powered watercraft utilising Lake Burley Griffin and other A.C.T waterways.

These inspections will be conducted with the intent to minimise disruption to the operation of Commercial vessels, whilst ensuring that the activities of recreational club vessels aren’t unreasonably impacted. In many cases vessels will be approached when they tied alongside jetties or as they are launched from the various clubs, however there may times when the Police vessel will come alongside and request to speak to the Master of the vessel or in some circumstances to board the vessel requesting same.

I’d ask for your cooperation in ensuring full compliance with the Maritime regulations, so as to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all Lake Users.