Boating WA

Tis the Season to be careful!

Record vessel numbers expected for Australia Day Skyworks

Growth in boat ownership in WA during the past two years could see a record number of vessels to take to the water to enjoy this year’s Australia Day Skyworks.

The Department of Transport (DoT) is reminding skippers to check their navigation lights and complete a safety check of their vessel and equipment before the event.

Marine Officers also recommend that lifejackets be worn on the night, and vessels carry flares and a suitable anchor to avoid drift.

DoT A/Director Waterways Safety Management Peter Beattie said the event was traditionally the busiest time of the year on the river and skippers needed to be patient and be aware of the restrictions and closures in place on the night and in the days prior.

DoT recorded significant increases in boat transfers and new boat registrations during the past two years with the number of registered recreational vessels in WA increasing to 101,000 and new vessel registrations increasing by up to 33.5 per cent during the period (July 2020 to July 2021).

Mr Beattie said the new vessel registrations had also seen more first-time skippers heading out on the water this summer with a 50 per cent increase in the number of Recreational Skipper’s Tickets issued from July 2020 to July 2021.

“For some skippers it will be their first time attending a major on water event and we strongly recommend they take the time to prepare their vessel and become familiar with the special arrangements for the night,” Mr Beattie said

“As the skipper they are responsible for the safety of their passengers at all times while on the water.”
Information about the on-water restrictions and closures in place for Australia Day is available by visiting www.transport.wa.gov.au/australiaday

Visit https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarine/5-steps-to-a-safe-boating-trip.asp for tips on checking your vessel and safety equipment.

5 steps to a safe boating trip Find out how to plan your boat trip including what to take with you, what the skipper is responsible for, passenger safety, weather, tides, trailers, checking the motor and taking enough fuel.

New mooring laws to deliver fairer system on WA waterways

Reforms to the State’s boating laws will provide a fairer, more equitable system to allocate moorings in sought after areas and prevent individuals from profiting by selling a mooring.

Department of Transport (DoT) Director of Waterways Safety Chris Mather said the changes allowed public ballots for key mooring sites in the Swan Canning Riverpark and at Mangles Bay near Rockingham.

“People can now register for the ballots, to be held on 4 November 2021, to determine a boat owner’s position on the newly created waiting list for up to 60 suitable mooring sites at both locations,” Mr Mather said.

“DoT is working with the Western Australian Electoral Commission to conduct the ballots which are likely to attract strong interest given the low cost and convenience and the ideal location of these two mooring control areas, which both offer easy access to Rottnest Island.”

The reforms also allow for a new opt-in Shared Use Mooring System to be known as SUMS, providing opportunities for the casual use of moorings throughout WA based on a system in place at Rottnest Island.

Mr Mather said the new laws would ensure access to top quality moorings is fair and equitable for the nearly 100,000 of Western Australian boat owners who love to get out on the water and enjoy our spectacular waterways.

Community consultation on the reforms was undertaken over a two-year period with more than 800 comments received.

For more information and to register for the ballot visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/moorings or email [email protected].

Media contact: [email protected]

Mooring and pen wait lists Find out about mooring and boat pen availability at metropolitan and regional boating facilities.

ROTTNEST ISLAND - REFUND ON MOORINGS AND ENTRY FEE

MIND THE DATE !!!

SUNSET CLAUSE – 1st of MARCH 2021

Dear Members,

In our last e-Newsletter, we reported by error that the refund scheme ran until 31st March 2021. Please note that he Sunset Clause ends on the 1st of March 2021.

If you have not made application for the refund by the 1st of March 2021 – (not the 31st of March as wrongly stated) - it will no longer be on offer!

Should you fail to make application before 1st of March 2021 – there is no comeback! The offer will expire on this day!

Any funds not claimed will go back into the funds of the Rottnest Island Authority and will no doubt be put to good use in the improvements planned for the Island.

Our apologies for the inconvenience.

www.boatingwa.com.au

Boating Western Australia (Inc.) – BoatingWA looking after the boating public in Western Australia ROTTNEST ISLAND COVID-19 Update on travel to Rottnest Island CLICK HERE Boating Western Australia (BWA) is a non-profit association, established for the promotion and development of safe, economic and enjoyable recreational boating throughout Western Australia. It was established by ordinary boaters...

BOATERS – ROTTNEST IS ABOUT TO OPEN – VISIT THE ISLAND – ENTER THE MARINE PARK – USE YOUR MOORING !!!!

Dear Members,

The Announcement that all Boaters have been waiting on : Boating Western Australia is pleased to let all Boaters know that the Premier has announced Phase 3 of the roadmap to ease Covid19 restrictions in WA – allowing Western Australians to enjoy more social and recreational activities and continue to get back to a more normal way of life. We thank the Premier and his Team for listening to the boaters of Western Australia.

THE BIG NEWS
Rottnest Island will be reopened to visitors, overnight guests and boaters on Saturday 6 June 2020. The reopening includes the Island’s surrounding marine reserve.

Boating Western Australia would like to thank the boating community for playing their part and taking the restrictions seriously. It was a major concession for recreational boaters and what an amazing result in our efforts to halt Covid-19.

Now that access has been granted, we will continue to urge the WA Government that they consider the possibility of a rebate to moorings owners for the 8 weeks where they were unable to access their leased moorings at Rottnest. More to come…

Rottnest beckons – enjoy Boaters and BE SAFE!

ABOUT BEING SAFE !! The rebuild of the Fuel Jetty is underway – hence the old Fuel Jetty is being dismantled, and there is NO FUEL AVAILABLE!!
That will be the norm for quite some time!

So make sure that you have sufficient fuel to also get yourself home.
Remember the old rule of thumb – work out what you need and carry 50% more again!
We want you back here – SAFE!

See you in Thomson !


Colin Lockley
President Boating Western Australia

Boating Western Australia (Inc.) – BoatingWA looking after the boating public in Western Australia