murray river review

REVIEW OF BOATING SAFETY

ON THE MURRAY RIVER

PAPER FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

RIVER MURRAY REVIEW 1

Message from the Minister

Keeping people safe on our waterways is paramount – it is the most important part of my responsibilities as Minister for Waterways.

It is not enough to simply regulate or impose restrictions – we must look at intelligent solutions to complex problems.

In the Murray River region the number of incidents, injuries and fatalities is simply too high. Between 1 December 2009 and 13 February 2010 there were seven serious incidents and four fatalities. Having visited the area and seen the complexities first-hand, it is clear the solution must be targeted, pragmatic and, importantly, driven by the people who use the waterway.

That’s why this review is so important. It is our opportunity to make the Murray region a safer place for all waterway users. I encourage everyone with an interest in the area to read the facts, consider the solution and work together to make the Murray a fun, safe and responsible place to be on the water.

The Hon Paul McLeay MP

Minister for the Illawarra Minister for Ports & Waterways Minister for Mineral & Forest Resources


Executive summary

The Murray River and its associated waterways provide important recreational opportunities for boaters from NSW and Victoria. The river waters fall under the jurisdiction of NSW and boating is managed by NSW Maritime. As the river also forms the border between NSW and Victoria, this waterway is used by the boating communities of both states and therefore safety requires a cooperative approach.

The river in many places is narrow and winding and with large numbers of recreational users, presents significant dangers. Users include fast moving ski and other towing boats, paddle wheelers, houseboats, canoeists, fishers and swimmers. These are often competing for limited space around the major population and access centres.

Between January 1992 and February 2010 there were 372 incidents on the river reported to NSW Maritime, resulting in 27 fatalities and more than 237 injuries. This review was triggered by a spate of serious incidents between 1 December 2009 and 13 February 2010 in which 4 people died. Deaths and injuries come at a significant cost to families, the community and government and reducing these impacts requires decisive action.

This review brings together incident data from NSW Maritime records, results from Focus Group Meetings at Albury/Mulwala, Moama/Echuca and Mildura, input from Boating Safety Officers (BSOs) with extensive experience on the river, and boating injury analysis conducted by Marine Safety Victoria. The assistance of Marine Safety Victoria in this review is gratefully acknowledged.

The key management options identified relate to speed limits and zoning, towing, compliance and enforcement, licensing and education, and vessel fires. The Focus Groups strongly supported more BSOs and a greater on-water presence as the single most effective measure to improve boating safety.

There was general support for a speed limit of 40 knots to apply throughout the river, with exemptions for approved races and race training. Speed zoning, tow-rope length restrictions, protective gear, mandatory lifejackets for children, better signage, increased random breath testing and anti-“hoon” powers were suggested as additional boating safety measures for consideration by NSW Maritime. However, action in NSW alone is not the whole answer.

With the high use of the river by Victorians, there is also the need to improve the understanding of NSW boating laws and navigation rules of skippers on both sides of the border. Harmonising boat driving licence standards between Victoria and NSW should be considered. Boaters intending to use the Murray should also be provided with education material about their obligations when operating in a NSW waterway. A joint approach to targeted and comprehensive boating education program for both NSW and Victorian boaters is essential.

Submissions Invited

Submissions, especially specific recommendations to improve boating safety, are sought from all stakeholders involved in boating on the Murray River.

NSW Maritime will review all submissions and prepare a second paper outlining specific recommendations for further consideration by the boating community.


Background

The NSW Ports and Waterways Minister the Hon. Paul Mcleay MP tasked NSW Maritime to conduct a review of boating safety after an unusually high number of serious boating incidents in the three months from December 2009 to February 2010.

On Christmas eve a swimmer died from injuries after being run over by a ski boat at Casey’s Bend; on Christmas day a man drowned after a small punt capsized 200 metres from the shore of Lake Hume; on 24 January 2010 a water skier died after hitting a log at Moama; and on 13 February 2010 a water skier fell and died while competing in the Southern 80 Ski Races.

Other serious incidents over this period included a man receiving severe lacerations and a broken leg after being hit by a boat propeller, a personal watercraft (PWC or jetski) crash, and a skiing incident where a skier was knocked unconscious.

The rate of serious boating incidents on the Murray River is increasing:

Between 1992 and 2008 there were:

• 27 fatal incidents (an average of 1.7 fatalities each year)

Between July 2008 and June 2009 there were:

• 3 fatal incidents

Between July 2009 and April 2010 there were:

• 4 fatal incidents

Its not just the personal, emotional and social costs associated with serious boating incidents that have to be considered. The financial consequences of boating fatalities are also significant. The National Marine Safety Committee1 has estimated the cash cost to the community of each boating fatality to be $1.5 million, representing a total cost of more than $40 million for boating fatalities on the Murray since 1992. Injured recreational boaters average more than 38 hours in hospital2.

Geographically, boating incidents on the Murray River are relatively focussed around Albury, Lake Mulwala, Moama, and Mildura, with a particular concentration around Moama. This is illustrated in figure 1.

Figure 1 Boating Fatalities and Serious Injuries on the Murray River 1992 to 2010

1. National Marine Safety Committee (2003), National standard for the Australian builders plate for recreational boats. Final regulatory impact statement, NMSC, Sydney.2. Follow-up study of hospital treated recreational boating injury – the long term effects of industry. Marine Safety Victoria May 2008.


Review process

This review commenced in April with targeted stakeholder meetings held at Albury/Mulwala, Moama/Echuca and Buronga/Mildura. The meetings provided focused views to assist in the preparation of this Discussion Paper for public comment. A brochure was prepared and distributed seeking submissions to this review. Because of the extensive interest, submissions to the Discussion Paper will now close on Tuesday 13 July 2010.

Submissions will be used to develop a set of specific recommendations for further discussions with the boating community, including the Recreational Vessel Advisory Group (RVAG) and the Maritime Ministerial Advisory Council (MMAC).

A final report will then be presented to Government for consideration. Any changes will be progressively implemented in consultation with boating groups.

Jurisdiction

All the waters of the Murray River3 fall under the jurisdiction of NSW. NSW Maritime is responsible for boating safety on the river including the registration of NSW boats and the issue of NSW boat driving licences. Victorian boat driving licences are recognised in NSW under Clause 76 of the Marine Safety (General) Regulation 2009. Under Section 50 of the Marine Safety Act 1998 boats registered in Victoria or another state are not required to be registered in NSW when visiting for a period of less than 3 months.

Origin of vessels

The majority of vessels using the Murray River and associated waterways come from Victoria. Over the past two years almost 90 per cent of the vessels checked by NSW Maritime on the Murray River have come from that state (see Table 1).

Table 1 – Vessel Check Statistics 2009-2010

Vessel Check Statistics October 2009 – April 2010

Area Total No. Checked NSW % VIC % Other %

Lake Mulwala – Including Ovens River to MV Highway Bridge 328 12.8 87.2 0.0

Murray River – Tom Groggin to Lake Hume (to Bethanga Bridge) 15 93.3 6.7 0.0

Murray River – Lake Hume to Lake Mulwala 86 1.2 98.8 0.0

Murray River – Yarrawonga Weir to Tocumwal 125 4.0 96.0 0.0

Murray River – Tocumwal to Barmah 162 7.4 91.4 1.2

Murray River – Barmah to Moama 282 3.9 95.7 0.4

Murray River – Moama to Torrumbarry Weir 515 6.0 92.4 1.6

Murray River – Torrumbarry Weir to Swan Hill 23 30.4 69.6 0.0

Murray River – Swan Hill to Robinvale 46 8.7 91.3 0.0

Murray River – Robinvale to Mildura 340 9.4 87.1 3.5

Murray River – Mildura to SA Border 386 13.0 83.2 3.9

Total 2308 9.06 89.30 1.65

3. Special arrangements apply to the waters of Lake Hume.


Incidents

More than three quarters of all the above incidents involved the main vessel owners (MVOs) coming from Victoria. The relative frequencies of incidents resulting in fatalities, serious and minor injuries reported to NSW Maritime (by postcode of the MVOs) are shown in Figure 2. The number of incidents reported to NSW Maritime is considered to be an underestimate with many of those injured returning to Victoria for treatment where the incident may not be reported as boat related.

Figure 2 – All incidents by MVO postcode 1992–2010

0

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

21.3

NSW VIC ACT WA QLD

77.1

0.4 0.40.8

A separate analysis of boating injury statistics in 2007 by Marine Safety Victoria4 showed that two thirds were undertaking a towed water sport at the time of injury, mostly waterskiing (26% of all study participants), wakeboarding (21%), being towed on an inflatable (12%) and knee boarding (8%).

Fatalities

The number of boating related fatalities reported to have occurred along the Murray over the study period are shown in Figure 3. The number of fatal incidents involving visitors from states other than Victoria may reflect the more diverse origins of high-speed boat racers and skiers.

Figure 3 – Fatalities by MVO postcode 1992–2010

0

5

10

15

20

4

NSW VIC Other

18

7

4. Follow up study of hospital treated recreational boating injury. Marine Safety Victoria January 2007.


Incident causes

The general causes of incidents are plotted in Figure 4 below. Lack of judgment was by far the dominant cause. Speed contributed to a greater or lesser extent in most incidents, even when speed may not have been considered excessive. For example where an incident is caused by a poorly judged high-speed turn by a towing vessel, the primary cause is recorded as lack of judgment, not speed.

Figure 4 – Major Incident Cause

0

Lack of judgement

Other*

Fault of machinery

Excess alcohol

Unknown

No proper lookout

Fault of equipment

Hazardous waters

Excessive speed

Weather

Navigational error

Number of people

20 40

Minor injury

Serious injury

Fatality

* “Other” relates to incidents where cause has not been determined.

These results reflect analysis by Marine Safety Victoria’s where tow injury participants mostly indicated there was more than one contributory factor to their injury. Most weight is given to human factors, commonly identifying inexperience, carelessness/distraction, misjudgement, risk taking and technique as contributing to injury.

Cross-border issues

As the majority of boaters on the Murray come from south of the border, there is a need to improve the culture of safe boating among skippers in not just NSW but also in Victoria. Appropriate improvements to boater safety education and consistency of licensing standards should be considered.

Inconsistencies in regulations, signage and boating rules between states cause confusion for boaters operating across the border. While improved education may address some inconsistencies, a coordinated approach by Governments is needed to systematically harmonise regulatory provisions to address these anomalies.


Stakeholder focus group meetings

Stakeholder focus group meeting reports are provided in Appendix 1. Stakeholders supported the need to improve boating safety on the river, however the dependence of many towns on water based tourism was weighed against the possible effects of increased regulation.

The single most important factor in directly improving boating safety was seen as an enhanced presence on the water by NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officers (BSOs). BSOs were considered to be the greatest deterrent to both illegal and irresponsible behaviour, and every stakeholder meeting supported an immediate increase in resources.

Safety concerns between areas differed and were influenced by the area of water available for aquatic sports. The concentration of vessels undertaking diverse activities in the relatively confined reaches at Echuca was of particular concern. At Mulwala and Mildura where more water is available, overall vessel numbers were less important except at a few specific locations and during peak holiday periods.

There was general support for:

• a speed limit to be applied to the entire river;

• for zoning to cater for different activities; and

• addressing the dangers in areas where boating activity is focused, such as in the approaches to boat ramps.

There were many boating safety issues identified as associated with towing including the particular hazards presented by ski tubes (biscuits) and the dangers associated with personal water-craft towing multiple persons. Wake has a particularly adverse impact on other users both from a safety and amenity perspective. The increasing popularity of wake boarding suggests this issue requires special attention to ensure we achieve a fair and reasonable balance. The use of added weight devices such as “fat sacks” and power wedges to increase wakes was viewed as exacerbating these problems.

Alcohol abuse was seen as a significant issue, especially when mixed with speed and aggressive boating. It was noted that effective enforcement requires a Police presence. Several people referred to this as a “hoon” factor and was generally considered detrimental to boating safety, to the reputation of sensible boaters, to the image of the various sports involved, and as adversely affecting the enjoyment and amenity of other non-boating water users.

An important contributor to declining safety standards was a perceived lack of boating education and training of Victorian boaters. NSW boat licensing standards were generally considered to be high with some stakeholders commenting that Victorian licensing standards were inadequate. Raising Victorian boat driver licence standards and enhancing boater education were consistently stated as essential to the improvement of boating safety on the Murray.

The increase in vessel fires was raised, especially noting the number of relatively new boats involved. Technical solutions including blowers and venting to remove petrol fumes from engine spaces, and even a pink slip style registration process involving regular checks of boats were suggested.

No one disputed the growing popularity of the Murray to Victorian boaters but no one was able to come up with a simple solution. It was suggested the drought may have contributed to the issue and the pressure may ease when Victorian lakes have more water. The concept of off-river ski parks was also supported as a way of providing customized facilities and diverting some activity from the river, noting such a move might require a water allocation from an already scarce resource.


Discussion

NSW Maritime undertakes both targeted and reactive programs across the state to deliver safer boating. Licensing, education and compliance activities all contribute to the overall safety program. A key difficulty for NSW Maritime in enhancing those programs for boaters on the Murray is that most reside in Victoria.

This situation is unique in Australia with no other water body identified where a majority of users reside in a jurisdiction where the safety regulator cannot contact them directly.

Marine Safety Victoria undertook an analysis of boating related injuries in 2007 and identified the following possible potential preventive measures:

• imposition of ski-boat speed limits

• limits on number of boats in popular locations for towed water sports

• increased demarcation of areas avoidance/ restriction of participation in shallow water regulation of towrope length

• wearing of personal protective equipment (lifejacket and helmet)

• additional boat operator training and licensing

• responsible boat operation

• training of observers including training in the operation of a quick-release tow rope system

• adoption of a progressive learning curve by participants when attempting new tricks

• formal training in skiing/boarding by qualified instructors

• improved equipment design (foot bindings, rounded wakeboard edging)

• education about the risks of alcohol use when participating in towed sports.

Although Marine Safety Victoria have identified these key issues, a combined effort is required by both the Victorian and NSW Governments to effectively address and implement change and reform.

A Standing Committee on Cross Border Boating would be an effective way develop a compliance campaign involving education, awareness and enforcement programs.

Such a committee should be attended by appropriately senior officers from NSW Maritime and Marine Safety Victoria, and provide an annual report through senior management to their respective Ministers outlining their work program and key results.


Management options

The stakeholder meetings conducted for this review identified a range of issues which, together with submissions received, and input from NSW Maritime staff, has contributed to the suite of management options identified below.

The key boating safety management issues identified have been grouped into the following categories:

• Speed limits

• Zoning

• Towing

• Compliance and enforcement

• Licensing and education

• Vessel fires

The options for change raised through the consultation process are outlined below:

CATEGORY OPTIONS

Speed limits 1 40 knot speed limit for the Murray River (official races and race training would be conducted under an aquatic licence)

2 Speed limits during peak usage periods

3 More seasonal 4 knot zones (e.g. 4 knot zone from Capri to the yacht club lagoon in Lake Mulwala from 1 December to 1 May; George Chaffrey Bridge to Charcoal Bend at Mildura)

4 Speed limit for ski tubes of 8 knots

Zoning 5 No swimming zones within 100 metres of any boat ramp

6 Fishing-only zones

7 Passive activity zones

8 Houseboat mooring zones at Mildura

9 “No Slow Tow” zones

10 Towing and PWC only zones

11 More off-river ski parks

12 No wash zones

Towing 13 Limit tow rope lengths for ski tubes

14 Only one ski tube may be towed at once

15 Maximum ski rope length < 18.5 metres

16 Helmets compulsory for all ski tube users

17 Ban all ski tubes

18 No more than 1 person in a ski tube

19 Ban power turns

20 A “no added weight” rule to control wake

21 Ban wake assisting devices e.g. “fat sacks” and “power wedges”


CATEGORY OPTIONS

Compliance & enforcement

22 Increase in on water Boating Safety Officer resources, Assistance from Marine Safety Victoria compliance officers,Anti-hoon legislation with vessel confiscation powers

23 Helmets for all PWC riders

24 Compulsory lifejackets for all children

25 Demerit points system for boat licences to apply in both states

26 Lower alcohol limits (i.e. less than the current 0.05)

27 Alcohol related boating offences should affect motor vehicle driver licences

28 On-water speed cameras

29 More RBT patrols with Police

Licensing & education 30 More stringent boat licence requirements in Victoria

31 Increase boater education in Victoria emphasising basics e.g. which side of the river to pass

32 Better education for PWC riders

33 Use Tourist Centres for boater education

34 “Boatsafe” volunteer program. Assist BSOs with education (modelled on Fishcare volunteers)

35 Education campaign on the dangers of high speed tow “whipping” manoeuvres

36 Insurance companies should be required contribute to fund improved boating safety campaigns

37 Improved signage on both banks of the River

Vessel fires 38 Compulsory blowers and vents for inboard petrol powered boats

39 Engine service reporting

40 “Pink slip” pre-registration safety checks for power boats

Request for submissions

NSW Maritime wants to hear your views on these options, including any specific recommendations and where they might be applied.

Please send your submission by 13 July 2010.

By email to: [email protected]

By post to: Murray Safety Review NSW Maritime Locked Bag 5100 Camperdown, NSW, 1450

All submissions to the consultation meetings, brochure and discussion paper will be included in this process.


APPENDIX 1

STAKEHOLDER FOCUS GROUP MEETING REPORTS

Albury/Mulwala

The Albury/Mulwala meeting was held at the Mulwala Ski Club on 19 April. Attendees examined the map of incidents below.

[Boating Fatalities and Serious Injuries on the Murray River between the Hume Weir and Lake Mulwala 1992-2010]

The key boating safety issues raised were:

Speed limits and zoning

• Limits on towing around boat ramps

• Need for exclusion zones and speed restrictions

• Need for passive-use zones around population centres

• Size of passive zones important, as they may concentrate activities into smaller areas

• Prescribed skis zones to minimise interaction with other users such as fishers

• Limit speed on the river to 40 kts (with ski racers and training exempt under an aquatic licence)

• A seasonal speed limit needed for the height of summer off the caravan park of 4 knots

• Personal Water Craft (PWC) should be restricted to particular areas when towing

• PWC should be banned from the river, while this might affect tourism it could mean a different group would be attracted to the area

• Low water below the weir is a problem as it prevents skiing but causes problems for those not familiar with the area

• There has been a rapid increase in the sophistication and safety standards of vessels

• 80% of incidents go unreported

• Overloading is rampant

• Have special wake board zones

Compliance and enforcement

• More Boating Safety Officers needed to provide an increased presence on the water

• There is currently 350 kms of river for each BSO to manage

• Lower alcohol limits on the water and more joint Police RBT testing

• BSOs need Police support as former cannot breath test

• Two officers are needed for RBT because of the duty of care and responsibility for the vessel and other occupants

• Demerit points on boat licences, including Victorian licences

• Limit the wakes of boats with a no added weight rule

• More overtime for Police to assist BSOs

• Seasonal crowds strain resources, need to focus compliance efforts

• Speeding fines are insufficient

• Helmets for jetskis might work

• Compulsory lifejackets for all kids

• Servicing of lifejackets is an issue, as there is liability attached

• PWC ride on the wrong side of the river, ignore 8 kt signs and are dangerous to fishers

• PWC at Bundalong move in packs and show a total disregard for other boats


• PWC riders don’t understand the legislation and penalties, and need better education

• PWC behaviour is the problem, need anti-hoon legislation

• Restrict maximum beam for recreational vessels to 2.5 m

Towing and wakes

• Maximum rope length of less than 70 feet

• Prohibit towing on river as it is too dangerous

• Master craft X80 boats may increase risks for other vessels

• There should be a “no added weight” regulation as the wakes created are dangerous to other boaters

• Big imported US wake boats will cause a problem in the future

• Speed restrictions and weight restrictions should apply as a wakes too high

Education

• Increased assistance from the Victorian Government with funding for education

• Education about driving on the correct side of the river

• Too many people don’t know the correct side of the river to take

• More education and more signage

• Education on the dangers of towing, including “whipping”

• Inconsistent rules between states cause confusion

• Make better use of visitor centres for education

• Victorian licence testing is inadequate, as many Victorian boaters don’t know the rules

Vessel fires

• Pink slips for boats

• Compulsory fume detectors

Victorian issues

• Victoria has skiing in prescribed areas only

• Off-river ski parks may relieve pressure on the river

• Serious and minor injuries grossly underestimated as most go unreported into Victoria

• The reporting rate for injuries may be between 5% and 12%

• Loss of life in Victoria costs $2 million per person

• Injury costs are estimated at between $16 and $35 million per annum

• Large-scale education programs will be difficult to fund in Victoria without Victorian Government assistance and co-operation

• Problems with accessing the Victorian license database for NSW BSOs undertaking compliance

• The MOU on data sharing between NSW and Victoria has expired

• New South Wales and Victorian Ministers need to get together to agree on funding

• Victoria should be educating their boaters

• No easy solution for the growing number of vessels on the river

• The bottom end of Lake Mulwala is okay, but the top end is dangerous as people go there when the main body of the lake is rough

• Bundalong is a problem as is Phalaris due to skiers

• Tourism is important to these towns and restrictions might affect numbers

• The loss of Victorian waterways contributes to an increasing congestion in New South Wales

• The solution needs to come from the Victorian side

• Victorians were better skilled when they were required to hold a New South Wales boat licence


Moama/Echuca

The Moama/Echuca meeting was held at the Border Inn Moama on 20 April. Attendees examined the map of incidents below.

[Boating Fatalities and Serious Injuries on the Murray River around Moama/Echuca 1992-2010]



• Support for a 40 kt speed limit on the river - would provide for all social skiing

• Speed limit of 40 kt would not affect many people, most Malibu’s only do 50 kt anyway

• Apply a speed limit at peak periods

• The definition of safe speed needs rethinking

• Locals might boat more if the river was safer and less crowded

• Zoning for local ski areas, but might push people into more congested areas

• High and low speed vessels don’t mix and need to be separated

• Seasonal speed limits might work with opening times for skiing for example at Corowa

• Fishing zones might work

• More passive use zones would be good for paddlers and swimmers

• Municipal councils encouraged to decommission ramps in town

• Speedboats deliberately turnaround fishing boats to deliver a double wash impact

• Fishermen do not use the 4 kt zone, it’s not where the fish are

• Off-river ski parks should be encouraged


• More BSOs essential to change boater behaviour

• More on-water presence most important

• Anti-hoon legislation would help

• There are no Water Police in the Murray region, need Marine Area Command

• Speed cameras are needed for the river

• BSOs need the capacity to conduct breath tests

• Why can’t all Victorians be made to hold a New South Wales licence?

• A demerit points system should apply across the border like car licences

• There should be a disqualification points system to prevent Victorians who have been penalised from operating in New South Wales waters

• Need access to the MSV database is essential to identify offenders

• The data sharing MOU must be restored

• Removing car licences for alcohol offences on the river would be a good deterrent

• Local Police need additional overtime so they can show more presence

Floaters (passive users in inflated tubes)

• Floaters in the river are really dangerous

• Most floaters don’t come from vessels, or come from paddle steamers or houseboats

• Ban swimming around boat ramps

• Floaters can cover two thirds of the river at a time, someone will be killed soon as they cannot manoeuvre out of the way of other vessels or refuse to do so

• Move-on powers are required to deal with floaters


Towing and wakes

• Ban all PWCs from towing tubes or any other devices

• Biscuits are too dangerous

• Ban power turns

• Ban all tubes on the river

• Helmets would be good for tubes

• Tubes should have a short rope and no swerving

• Properly designed tubes are safer

• Impose a very low speed limit on tubes i.e. 8 knt

• There should be a maximum tow rope length

• Standard 18.5 m ski rope is too long

• Rope length of 10 to 12 m would be better for tubes on the river

• There should be a no added weight rule, even 21 foot boats get knocked around

• Fat sacks should be banned but this would be difficult to enforce

• Ban wake boats

• Wake assisting devices is a better term than wake boat

• Slow towing is a better term than wake boarding

• No slow towing zones would be good

• In Germany, wake boards are prohibited on rivers

• Whole of government approach needed to deal with wake effects

• Restrict wake boards to low water i.e. winter

Education

• No-one knows what the signs mean and they are not enforced sufficiently

• Need improved in the boat stickers and signage at boat ramps

• Volunteer BSOs could give out information

• Rules between the states should be consistent

• A national boat registration scheme would promote consistency but would be expensive

• New South Wales Maritime maps of the river need to be updated, especially those at boat ramps

• Maps need to show “no mooring” and “no anchoring” zones

• Introduce new measures incrementally

• Need consistent rules about observers, ours or Victoria’s?

• How best to get information into Victoria?

• Perhaps the insurance industry could assist

• Need a proper budget for education

• Need more signs up warning about alcohol abuse

• More education needed especially in Victoria

Vessel fires

• Engine service reporting

• Compulsory blowers and vents

• Fume detectors would help

• Pink slips for petrol powered boats might work


Victorian issues

• New rules might impact on tourism if they couldn’t ski socially

• The drought has produced a lot more people to the river, this may change when the Victorian lakes have more water

• People will go elsewhere if the river is too busy it’s self-regulating

• The crowds come in bursts of two weeks, it’s bedlam then the numbers drop away

Mildura

The Mildura meeting was held at the Mildura Rowing Club 21 April. Attendees examined the map of incidents below.

[Boating Fatalities and Serious Injuries on the Murray River in the Mildura area 1992-2010]



• Ski zones could work but need an enforcement capability

• Speed competitors are usually highly trained and less of a risk to the public

• There is a perception the speed limit exists on the river, this is not true

• We have the ability to find our own bit of river here

• Passive zones for fishing useful

• You can just go up river and find some flat water for skiing – it’s self-regulating

• Vessel volume is less here

• More passive activity zones would help

• Distances can be observed here there is more river

• 4 kt speed limit from Georg Chaffrey Bridge upstream approximately 1200 metres to Charcoal Bend

• No houseboat mooring zone to allow easier landing for rowers at the Rowing Club


• Need more BSOs

• Local BSOs spread too thin, need more resources

• Poor behaviour the most important issue

• Policing is an issue

• Lifejacket rules need to be enforced

• Sanctions are difficult to enforce

• Anti-hoon legislation supported it would make a point to other users

• Multiple use of PWCs is a concern

• Alcohol – ‘ it’s got to be the biggest issue out there’

• Drink driving rules must be enforced

• If you lost your car licence also it would be the best deterrent

• BSOs should be able to do preliminary breath tests

• It’s ridiculous that BSOs can only prove someone is drunk through indirect methods in court

• All kids under 12 should wear lifejackets

• There is an unruly minority that spoil it for those who do the right thing

• Standards for houseboats are falling, not improving


Towing and wakes

• Width and length of the river is pertinent

• Increasing power and speed of PWCs and race boats is becoming an issue

• Vessel volumes are not such an issue here, we’d go home if it was like Echuca

• Wash is becoming an issue over the past few years

• Wash is upsetting fishers, someone go fishing at weekends

• Most skiers can deal with the wake issues

• Everyone has power wedges, so enforcement is an issue

• Weight carrying rules would be difficult to regulate

• Ban biscuits

• The rope length is not the issue

• Biscuits carry kids who can’t ski, often three at a time

• Often the boat is on the bank with the biscuit 15 m out in the river

• They weave everywhere and you can’t tell where they’re going to go

• The number of biscuits about can towed may be an issue

• Wearing helmets in biscuits could prevent clashes of heads

• Prop strikes are not a big issue here

• Biscuits are too dangerous

• Should not be allowed to tow more than one biscuit at a time

• Should not be allowed to have three people in the biscuit

• Biscuits should not be the starting point for new towers

• Biscuits can take control of the boat too

• More regulation at Echuca will force trouble makers to Mildura

• Victoria relies on heavy regulations and limits

Education

• Visitors from Melbourne don’t know local designated areas

• Improved signage should go hand-in-hand with an improved education program

• TV ads would be very effective for example the Riverwatch ad

• Community service announcements on local TV should be explored

• Insurance companies should chip in to improve boating safety

• Need better navigation rules education, particularly for houseboat drivers who may not have a boat licence or know the rules

Vessel fires

• Pink slips for boats might work

• there may be a lack of qualified people servicing engines

• mandatory vapour detectors might work

Victorian issues

• Can you run the NSW young adults licensing course in Victoria?

• Boats from other places are the troublemakers, they are not familiar with the local area and rules

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