New Marine Safety Queensland regulations
Agnes Waters 1770, Brisbane Central, Brisbane North, Brisbane South and Bayside, Cairns and Tablelands, Central Western Queensland, Cooloola Tin Can Bay, General, Gold Coast, Innisfail and Gulf, Logan Redlands and SW Qld, Mackay Region, Redcliffe, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast and Hinterland, Townsville, Weipa Cape York news release date: 20-Jan-2012Coming into effect soon, get your licence now before these changes are introduced. Boaties and Jet ski users will have to be extra careful as new legislative changes are introduced in the near future.
Marine Infrastructure Minister Craig Wallace said the changes were put in place to better protect all water users and reduce risks of accidents.
People operating Jet skis at more that 10 knots will have to keep a 30 metre distance from other moving vessels, if they are more than 2 nautical miles from partially smooth waters they need to carry a registered EPIRB (a distress beacon) and they must also carry hand held flares and a 'V' sheet while operating outside designated smooth water
Boaties and their passengers will have to wear life jackets if traveling in a open boat under 4.8 meters while crossing a coastal bar at three additional locations and new licence holders will have to partake in improved training for night and electronic navigation.
Futher details can be found at msq.qld.au