Boating is a safe activity, and if you do it right it’s even safer. But that doesn’t mean that things can’t go wrong. Any experience boatie will tell you that the see is unpredictable. However, it isn’t only at sea that things can go wrong. Small creeks, rivers, dams, and lakes all have their own unique hazards. And to address those hazards, all those waterways have their own unique boating safety requirements in Queensland. We’ve listed some of the most important safety items below, to help you have a safe day on the water. But we haven’t listed them all, so visit the Queensland Recreational Boating and Fishing Guide for more information. You can also download the Queensland Recreation Fishing app on GooglePlay.
EPIRBs: what are they, and why are they included in Queensland boating rules?
EPIRBs aren’t quite as well known as they should be; these little gadgets can save your life in the stickiest of situations. EPIRB is an acronym for emergency position indicating radio beacon. And although that’s a bit of a mouthful, it’s purpose is simple: to transmit your location in a life threatening emergency. No matter where you are, and what the conditions may be, and EPIRB will alert the authority that you’re in trouble. That’s why they are mandatory for boating beyond partially smooth waters. That doesn’t mean you can’t take one along to fish remote waterways, though. You never know, it could save your life.
Lifejackets: here’s what Queensland boating safety requirements say about them
Lifejackets are the biggest source of misunderstanding when it comes to boating safety requirements in Queensland. Most of us know that they are mandatory in all boats. But a lot of us don’t quite know which varieties we should use, and when we should be wearing them. Lifejackets come in a range of configurations, to suit different conditions. You will need to research these to make sure that your lifejackets suit your boat, and where you’re taking it. You should also research when you need to wear it – for example if you’re a child, or if you’re undertaking a bar crossing.
V-sheets are another important boating safety requirements in Queensland: here’s what they do
V-sheets are probably the simplest safety tool at your disposal. They’re also one of the most effective. V-sheets are essentially a highly visible distress single, generally used for non-life threatening incidents. For example, if you break down and need assistance, a V-sheet is your go to safety tool. For boating in partially smooth waters, and beyond, you need a V-sheet. However, we recommend putting one in your boat for all occasions.
Flares can get you out of some very stick situations; that’s why they are included in boating rules Qld
Like V-sheets, flares are simple and very useful safety tools when it comes to attracting attention. Flares are also mandatory for boating in partially smooth waters and beyond. But flares are reserved for emergencies to a greater extent than the V-sheet. Of course, you can use the V-sheet in an emergency – but you wouldn’t use flares in the event of a breakdown unless you were threatened by poor conditions, or had an injured passenger onboard.
‘Signalling devices:’ what are they, and when do the Queensland boating rules say you need them?
If you look at the safety requirements for boating in Queensland, you might notice that ‘signalling devices’ are mandatory in smooth waters and beyond. So what are they? Signalling devices include luminescent devices such as torches and glowsticks. These are only mandatory between sunset and sunrise, to allow your vessel to remain visible to others. This prevents collisions, which makes them a very important addition to your safety kit.
For more information, get in touch with Almac trailers today!