New South Wales issues new criminal penalties for reckless boating

**Mark Bowdidge** · 28th March 2009, 10:25 AM

The government of New South Wales has issued stiff new marine safety regulations that will come into effect on Monday. The regulations include increased fines, and even prison time, for dangerous boating and operating a vessel without a license.
NSW Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi said the changes build on major reforms announced last year. "These new regulations are part of the biggest reforms to marine safety rules and practices in a decade and will reinforce the culture of safe boating in NSW," Tripodi said in a statement. The new regulations will more than halve the number of existing regulations, Tripoldi added, improving on-water safety and cutting red tape.
The boating safety reforms came after public outrage following a nighttime boat collision last May that left six people dead. The captain of that boat appeared in court this week in Ballina, Australia to face charges.
The new provisions include safety label requirements on all vessels, requirements to keep inflatable lifejackets maintained, increased penalties for driving while disqualified or operating a boat without proper safety equipment.
Any boater operating a vessel with a disqualified licence could face a maximum penalty of more than AUS$13,000 and/or two years imprisonment, compared to the current maximum fine of AUS$1500.
The new regulations also stipulate that wash or wake damage to another boat could have a maximum penalty of AUS$5,500. Currently, boaters can only be fined AUS$40 for exceeding the speed in a no-wash zone.
The new regulations also give NSW Maritime and Water Police officers new powers. "For example, Maritime officers and Water Police can now immediately suspend a vessel's registration or detain a vessel if it's found to be unsafe," said Tripoldi. "This includes boats found operating at night with insufficient navigation lighting."
Boaters will also be required to show practical 'on-water' boating experience by completing a boating licence logbook. That requirement will come into effect on June 1.

All these rules....Whats next?

**44Ronin** · 28th March 2009, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Mark Bowdidge

All these rules....Whats next?

From a slap on the wrist to draconian punishment

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/rulesregul...voffences.html

The court can only impose a maximum of 5500 to drivers with driving whilst disqualified, cancelled, suspended or refused, and a maximum of 2200 for never licensed offenders.

When compared to road users................it's a complete joke. Cash grab.

The new regulations also stipulate that wash or wake damage to another boat could have a maximum penalty of AUS$5,500. Currently, boaters can only be fined AUS$40 for exceeding the speed in a no-wash zone.

I bet the goverment won't cough up all the penalties on the incidents that sydney ferries cause on a regular basis.

The nanny state is a damn joke

**Mark Bowdidge** · 28th March 2009, 11:17 AM

I've noticed that since this recession has started to hit, all goverment charges, fines and new rules are being implemented just to grab money. Its pathetic. Won't be long and we'll all be charged for breathing. Then we'll have to go to the Doctors and get a "No breathing" chit.
Now that NSW has brought this in, I betting that it will be in Qld in a matter of months...plus something else.
Mark

**b.o.a.t.** · 28th March 2009, 11:49 AM

Got to make up their lost revenue somehow...

Word from a senior public service manager at a meeting I attended during the week...
"You think government funding was tight last year ? You ain't seen nothing yet."

Agree on the nanny state.
Having said that, I noted with interest that the NSW press release claims that while
harsher penalties apply, the actual number of regulations has been reduced. Does
this mean that a bunch of exclusions have been removed, extending the reach of a
smaller number of regs ? Or an actual reduction of restrictions?

I know which one my money is on. Used to be that if something wasn't specifically
verboten, then it was permitted. More & more seems we are not allowed to do stuff
unless it is specifically approved. From memory, that is the sort of policy & mind-set
which characterises a totalitarian state rather than a free democracy. Increasingly
tempted to contribute money to mobs like https://www.getup.org.au/

cheers
AJ

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