Boat owners to have say on compulsory safety training

31/3/04 Western Australia's registered boat owners are being consulted over the implementation of compulsory safety training for drivers of recreational vessels.

31/3/04
Western Australia's registered boat owners are being consulted over the implementation of compulsory safety training for drivers of recreational vessels.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said today she had written to each of the State's 72,000 registered boat owners to explain the Government's plan to implement compulsory safety training for boat drivers and canvas their views on its implementation.

"A recent survey by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure showed more than 80 per cent of registered boat owners in WA supported the implementation of basic training for skippers," Ms MacTiernan said.
"Unfortunately, this point has been lost in the current debate which has included misleading and self-serving claims by those with vested interests.
"To progress the implementation of compulsory safety training for boat drivers in WA, I am asking those who will be required to comply with the training scheme to provide their views on important elements of its implementation."
A letter from the Minister and survey sheet has been distributed to every registered recreational boat owner in WA as part of the first edition of the new Boating Communities newsletter produced by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure.
Ms MacTiernan said the letter to boat owners followed the State Boating Council's inability to reach a united position on the issue of compulsory safety training and give the Government a recommendation on its preferred implementation plan.
"Some council members, who represent a wide cross-section of peak recreational boating bodies, have not supported compulsory training," she said.
"However, council chairman Fred Riebeling MLA has provided some useful feedback that has been used to create the guiding principles of the implementation of a training scheme."
The principles are:

  • the level of training will be minimal;
  • recognition of experience where the required skills can be demonstrated;
  • minimal fees;
  • recognition of completed and suitable training courses such as BoatSmart, TL3 and TL5; and
  • implementation over a number of years.
"As the responsible agency the Department for Planning and Infrastructure will use boat owners' views and continue to work with organisations such as the Yachting Association, community sea-based groups and other Government agencies including the FESA and the Water Police, which have all been supportive of the Government's efforts to introduce driver training, during this important implementation phase," Ms MacTiernan said.
"At the end of the day the Government has an obligation to implement a training scheme that has the support of boat owners. I strongly encourage all boat owners to participate in the survey as the information provided will greatly assist the Government in meeting its objective."
For more information boat owners can telephone the Department for Planning and Infrastructure on 1300 667 276 or visit the department's website http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au and click on to Marine Safety.
Minister's office: 9213 6400