Water Police have a strong presence on the Gold Coast, and are very active in responding to complaints. But of course, they cannot be everywhere at all times. This leads to some boaties, in particular young people, pushing their luck and breaking the law on safe water practices.

There have been recorded incidents of failures in safety while operating a vessel in recent times. An example was in the news story that showed a boy operating a boat colliding into a residential jetty at significant speed. This example highlights exactly what behaviour young people are conducting on the waterways that need addressing. The young lad was lucky to have just come away with a broken arm. His impact with the jetty could have easily been a lot worse.

The young ‘skipper’ had broken several rules, including the most obvious – travelling over six knots. Other possible breaches of the boating rules include:

Rule 5 – Proper Lookout: You must use all available means to lookout (including sight and sound)

Rule 6 – Safe Speed: At all times, you must proceed at a safe speed so as to avoid a collision and be able to stop in an appropriate distance.

And most important is Rule 2, which states that, it is the responsibility of the skipper to know the rules.

At 16 years of age, a person can legally obtain a Recreational Marine Drivers Licence (RMDL) and a Personal Water Craft License (PCWL). Although a boat license is not required for the operation of vessels with an engine of 6hp or less, the unlicensed driver is still obliged to know and adhere to rules.

Parents need to take a positive role and a genuine interest in their kids’ boating experience. Parents should also educate themselves on boating rules and regulations, by taking up a boating education course and by researching online information from Marine Safety Queensland.

Parents should regularly talk with their kids about their boating experiences on the water so they are made aware of what is “going on” and guide their kids’ behaviour should there be any concerns. Talking will keep parents informed of potential safety risks, including current information on busy congested areas, new speed zones, changes of navigation, and temporary commercial operations.

Another good idea is for parents to check the boat regularly with their child. Make up a checklist. Ensure equipment is carried, and the vessel is seaworthy and regularly serviced.

It is also suggested that parents monitor who their kids are associating with. They can then assess whether there is any potential risk of unsafe boating practices, and be able to protect the kids from ‘risky’ behaviours by not allowing them to associate with those who do not practice safe boating.

Talk with other parents of kids who go boating, and inform each other of current behaviour, and encourage them to be safe.

If a person is under 16, he or she must only operate vessels with an engine 6hp or under. In case the engine on the vessel is over 6hp, it can be ‘governed’. Simply take your engine to a qualified engine mechanic for a ‘governor’ to be installed. This will limit the power of the engine. As a parent, you can have peace of mind.

Parents and young skippers, licensed or unlicensed, should remember that, the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 imposes a general safety obligation on all vessel owners and operators, masters and crew to operate vessels safely at all times. This responsibility includes making sure the ship is safe, equipped and maintained, and operated in a safe manner.

Safe boating!

By Capt Michael Paddison

Edited by Andy Kancachian

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Both young skippers and their parents need to know the safety equipment required to be carried on board their vessels.

The following are required:

• One lifejacket per person aboard the boat; in good condition, easily assessable and the correct type for the area the vessel is operating in; a sticker/label at the lifejacket location is very helpful
• Persons under 12 years of age in a vessel under 4.8 metres must wear a lifejacket at all times.
• All persons are required to wear a lifejacket/PFD 1 while crossing a coastal bar in a vessel under 4.8 metres (i.e. The Seaway, Jumpinpin Bar, Tweed Bar)
• Fire equipment – capable of extinguishing a fire – for boats over 5 metres

It is ‘recommended’ to carry:

• Anchor
• Charts (or Beacon to Beacon guide), and a compass
• Bucket or bailing equipment
• Paddles
• Drinking water

(Feb-Apr2017)

The post Safety First for Kids appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

HOW TO TOW A TRAILER BOAT

First of all, and obviously, you need to ensure your trailer and boat are registered and appropriately insured.

Secondly, It is very important to make full safety inspections and secure your boat for transport before hitting the road.

Trailer and vehicle checks

Before hitching up a trailer, it is necessary to check its maximum load capacity and what weight your vehicle can legally tow. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the vehicle’s towing capacities.

There are a number of safety checks you should make before each trip.

-Make sure the tow vehicle and the trailer are properly connected. Align the hitch and ball, then lower the trailer hitch down over the ball.

-Ensure the latch is closed and the safety pin is inserted properly. Never tow without the safety pin.

-Make sure the safety chains are crossed and attached between the trailer and the tow vehicle.

-Check all lights—brake lights, blinkers and running lights—are working properly.

-Make sure the wheel bearings are properly lubricated to avoid overheating during the drive.

-Check the pressure of all the tyres to be sure they are properly inflated.

-Make sure the towing vehicle is properly maintained. The brakes, tyres, wheel bearings should all be checked for wear and tear and operational soundness. The mirrors should be large enough to give a full view of the rear of the trailer.

Boat check and other gear

Once the trailer and the tow vehicle are checked and determined to be in good working condition, turn your focus on the boat and any gear you will be towing for transport.

Before driving, ensure the following:

-Check that the boat is properly secured and seated on the trailer, as unevenness can cause problems with weight distribution.

-Check that the outboard engine is properly secured for trailering.

-Make sure any gear in the boat is stored or attached securely to avoid blowing away while driving.

-No one should ride in the boat or on the trailer during transport.

-Ensure all doors, hatches, covers and any load or equipment are properly secured.

-Limit the mass of the load carried in the boot or luggage space of the towing vehicle.

When driving while towing the boat, it is necessary to allow greater distance for both overtaking and braking. And when TURNING while towing a trailer, the turn has to be made wider to avoid clipping a curb or other obstructions.

Backing a trailer is also challenge. Many people confuse and turn the wrong way. To solve this problem, here’s a tip: Place your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel. When your hand moves left or right, the trailer will go in the same direction.

HOW TO LAUNCH A BOAT

Once you arrive at the boat ramp, pull out of the way of ramp traffic and prepare the boat for safe launching. Park the vehicle in a designated area and trailer first and conduct the pre-launch checks while parked.

Pre-launch preparations

-Install the drain plug (bungs) in the boat. This is very important, so double and triple check to make sure the bungs are in.

-Remove the trailer tie down, straps and engine support.

-Load all of your gear into the boat.

-Disconnect trailer lights from the tow vehicle if you use a portable light board.

-Make sure the winch is properly connected to the bow eye of the boat.

-Leave safety chain connected

-Prepare mooring lines, fenders and boat hook for immediate use.

The launch

-Back the trailer slowly down the boat ramp to get the boat into the water.

-Make sure to back down far enough on the ramp towards the water to avoid the boat ‘dropping off’.

-Once the trailer is at the right position, stop the tow vehicle. Make sure to set the parking brake before alighting the vehicle.

-Disengage the holding lock on the winch. With your hand on the winch handle, slowly release the tension on the strap/wire and let the boat slowly slide from the trailer and into the water. If your trailer uses skids instead of rollers, you will need to reverse a slight distance more to ‘help’ the boat get off the trailer.

-Once the boat is completely off the trailer, either beach the boat or tie it to the dock with the bowline.

-Drive your vehicle away from the ramp, and park the vehicle in a designated parking area.

It is helpful to have two people to launch or load the boat. Communication between the vehicle driver and the boat driver at all times during launching procedure will make launching safer. Ensure that the tow vehicle windows are down and stereos are off to hear each other. If there are multiple ramps at the facility, use hand-signal communication with each other. This will avoid confusion if it becomes too noisy at the ramps.

It is always a good idea to know the condition of the boat ramp before you drive your vehicle and trailer on to it. Check the type of the ramp, whether it is made of concrete, covered in gravel or sand, and determine how steep the ramp inclines. It will help you to safely launch the boat. For example, a slippery ramp can make the trailer and tow vehicle slide further into the water. In coastal areas, the tides may impact a ramp condition.

By Capt. Michael Paddison

The post Trailer Boat Towing and Launching appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

Now to put it all into perspective, Elliott is one level-headed chap. He was a Chief Petty Officer in the Royal New Zealand Navy and a clearance diver by trade. So when he says, “… It was terrifying, so, so quick and virtually impossible to put out”, you are sort of obliged to pay attention.

Elliott has been kind enough to recount his experiences for us. “I used five dry powder extinguishers. All you get are facefuls of powder and toxic fumes. You cannot see or breathe, and the powder comes back at you with interest. You only get the one chance to stop a fire aboard, so you must do it within about 30 seconds. Otherwise, it is time to clear out. Powder extinguishers are hopeless in an engine room and I now have automatic foam installed,” said Elliott.

“It all started at 0950hrs on Boxing Day, and I wanted to watch the start of the Hobart. So I put the TV on, switched to both banks and that is when it happened,” explained Elliott. A major short circuit had occurred when a cell in one of the deep cycle batteries had collapsed and instantaneously, the whole system was on drain.

“As soon as I saw smoke from the battery isolator I tried to go back to on or off, but it had fused inside by that time and was rendered useless. I heard crackling, came out of wheelhouse, lifted the lid on the hold, and used two extinguishers. The deckhead and bulkheads were all smoking, and I used another extinguisher on what I could see. I then went back down into the engine room and sprayed yet another.

“From there I went back to the wheelhouse, fell into the engine room in the black smoke that was already billowing furiously and crawled aft along the deck, throwing the fuel isolators on and grabbing the mobile as I went. My dog, Tosh, was on the marlin platform already and he then jumped in the tinnie.”

Interestingly, only a few weeks earlier, Elliott had installed a Stainless Steel 4WD style grab hook on the transom to hold the painter to the dinghy. “I reckon that if I had to actually untie the tender, then I would have been right in amongst that explosion,” recounted Elliott.

“You know there is always a silver lining and, thank God, mine came in the form of the team at Pantaenius. They were just bloody brilliant! My previous insurer said they would not be covering anyone in Shute Harbour or Airlie Beach anymore. Pantaenius were happy to insure me on a swing mooring (after survey) and we’re all covered except for a named storm,” espoused Elliott.

“Their rates are not high, and their service is exceptional. I rang them that afternoon and got a call later. Things moved so quickly, I really could not fault them in any shape or form. I’m telling everyone, because it was such a great experience after the most horrendous disaster.”

Pantaenius appointed a surveyor within 24 hours at their cost. They then provided an independent report within days of the incident, so that settlement could also be reached within a few days.

Pantaenius Australia provide sail and motor yacht insurance.

The post Gone in 180 seconds! appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

It is always a good idea to check the manufacturer’s instruction manual as every boat has its own requirement.

Engine and Fuel System

-Drain any old fuel. Fuel that is older than 3 months should be discarded. Then, fill tank with fresh fuel. Don’t fill your tank with fuel that contains more than 10% ethanol (E10) as it will damage your engine.

-Inspect the fuel system for any sign of leaks or damage.

-Check fuel tank for any leaks.

-Inspect the fuel line for dry rot, softness, brittleness, cracking and any loose connection.

-Make sure the engine exhaust and ventilation systems are all working properly.

-Inspect and clean spark plugs. Replace as needed.

-Check the impeller for wear and cracking. Also, make sure your thermostat is in good condition.

-Check all fluid levels, including engine oil, power steering, power trim reservoirs, and coolant.

-Replace engine oil and oil filter if you have a 4-stroke engine.

-Drain and replace gear leg oil.

Batteries

-Check the charge level, and recharge as needed.

-Clean battery terminals with baking soda solution to remove corrosion.

-Clean cables and connection ends, and reconnect.

-Check the battery switches to make sure they are functional.

-Test all batteries.

-Spray terminals with lubricant.

Electric System

-Inspect all electrical components after battery is charged and installed.

-Check the bilge circuit, pump and automatic switch.

-Check connections for corrosion. Clean and lubricate.

-Inspect all wiring for wear and chafe.

-Check all lighting including navigation lights/bulbs.

-Check radios and GPS working.

Propellers

-Inspect propellers for dings, indentations, pitting, cracks, and distortion.

-Ensure that propellers are securely fastened, and turn freely.

-Damaged propellers can cause unwanted vibration and damage to your drive train.

-Check bush is strong and fit with no movement or play. Also check that the bush is not cracked or damaged.

-Check and clean backfire flame arrestor.

-It is wise to often remove the propeller to ensure no rope or fishing line has been caught between the propeller and prop shaft. Damage can occur to the seal, which will allow water to enter the gear box oil chamber.

Boat Hull

-Inspect the hull for blisters, distortions and cracks.

-Check rubber seals/gaskets for cracks.

-Make sure the drain plugs fit tightly and are securely in place.

-Check the transom for the strength.

Belts, Cables and Hoses

-Check belts, cables and hoses for cracks, brittleness, swell, or loose clamps.

-Belts should fit tightly around pulleys to prevent slipping.

Ropes and Anchor Lines

-Check ropes and anchor lines for damage and deterioration.

-Stow the anchor in so it is secure and will not bounce out of its stored position.

-Always have the anchor ‘ready’ for use in case of an emergency.

Safety Gear

Under Queensland laws, the following safety gear are COMPULSORY to have on board:

-Life jackets. Check the life jackets for rips or missing parts ensure they are in good condition. Make sure that life jackets are enough on board for all potential passengers. Ensure that individuals have the correct size life jacket for their body weight.

-Label/sticker showing where the life jackets are located

-Fire Extinguisher. Make sure all on board fire extinguishers are the correct size/type for your vessel. Check for fully charged and stowed in the proper place. Check expiration date for charge status.

-Flare Kits. You need to carry 2-day (smoke) flares and 2-night (flame) flares. Check their expiration dates. Check condition –no rust. Carry flares in a flare container and pack tightly to avoid movement.

-Signaling Device (between sunset and sunrise)

-Torch with spare batteries/mirror

-EPIRB If travelling more than 2 nm offshore. Check expiration date. Check your details are registered with appropriate authorities.

-V-sheet. Check condition. Have in handy location on the boat

There are also some RECOMMENDED safety equipment to be carried on board, so you can meet your General Safety Obligations.

-A chart or navigation equipment.

-Anchor and chain. Ensure anchor rope is connected to the boat.

-Paddle/oars for boat under 6 metres.

-Pumping/baling equipment such as a bucket for boats under 5 meters and a bucket, plus a bilge pump.

-Drinking water enough for all on board.

-Always carry a first aid kit on board.

Giving your boat the routine checks after a few months of hibernation will make a lot of difference to your boating activities. Keeping your boat in tip-top shape and ready for the hot weather will ensure your boating experience will be a safe and happy one.

By Capt. Michael Paddison

The post Summer Boating Checklist appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

1. Have a good first aid kit

You are required by law to have a WHS-compliant first aid kit on any vessel. The larger the boat, the more supplies are required.  However, we have jotted down a few things to help get the ball rolling on some of the most used first aid items.

• Water proof container to protect your first aid kit
• Tweezers for removing splinters or hooks
• Crepe bandages (x2) for supporting injuries
• Wound dressings/pads to attend to gashes, cuts and scratches
• Antiseptic cream to treat wounds or bites
• Instant cold pack – snap pack for relief on wounds or injuries
• Latex gloves to use when dressing a wound to prevent infection
• Premium plastic strips for small wounds
• Safety pins to secure bandages
• It is also suggested, if you spend a lot of time out on the water for long trips, to have an emergency thermal blanket and lots of bottles of water for both hydration and cleaning wounds if needed.

2. Know your passengers. Be aware of any existing sicknesses and what to do for them if they have a turn.

3. Know where to place a sick or injured passenger in your boat when transporting. Usually, the back of the boat is the most stable, so get them in apposition of comfort and go easy on the speed.

4. Know where you are for marine rescue. Download the app Emergency+ on your smart phone. It will tell you where you are with GPS coordinates. (This is a national app developed by Australia’s emergency services and their Government and industry partners.)

5. Complete a first aid course. This will teach you how to do everything required to look after your patients on board. There’s no point having a first aid if you’re not sure how to use it or what to use it for.

Scott Whimpey is the director of First Aid Accident & Emergency, offering a variety of first aid courses on the Gold Coast. He is a first aid expert and a boating enthusiast. (www.firstaidae.com.au)

The post 5 First Aid Tips for Boaties appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

Lifejackets have come a long way over the years. From the uncomfortable and bulky designs of the past, today’s lifejackets come in a range of styles and are much more comfortable to wear.

When ever you go boating, there must be a lifejacket for everyone on board, ready for use. As the skipper it’s your responsibility to make sure your passengers know how to put it on and when they will need to wear it.

It’s law to wear a lifejacket when crossing a bar but that’s not the only time you need to put one on. On boats less than 4.8m you must also wear a lifejacket when you’re boating alone, boating at night, and at all times on open waters or alpine waters, and if using your vessel as a tender more than 400m from shore. As the skipper you need to put a life jacket on and make sure all your passengers wear one too.

And when it comes to young children you just can’t take a risk. Children under 12 years of age must wear a lifejacket at all times when on a boat under 4.8m in length, and when in an open area of a vessel of 4.8m to 8m that is underway.

Just wear it.

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