Skipper Rules
Restrictions for 14-16 yrs old = daylight hrs only, 8 knots
RST permits you to drive all recreational vessels
When underway = keep all parts of body within the hull
If over 10 yrs old, max engine size before RST is needed ? > 6 HP
You can drive a boat without RST … if it is under 6hp
Max speed < 15m of another vessel underway < 8knots < 50m from moored vessel, person in water, jetty, wharf, river bank < 8kn
Max speed < 3 metres deep water < 8 knots
Boats allowed on a mooring in a mooring CONTROL area? … 1 per mooring only
What boats need to be registered = All vessels (except tenders) that can have power fitted
Where does the Rego sticker go = port side near registration number
Rules for Tender = <3.1m, < 5HP, (ship to shore only) must have parent vessel’s Rego on
A skipper can get a fine, Skipper’s Ticket can be suspended and cancelled.
Ski Rules
To tow a skier, the driver must
- be at least 17 years of age
- have a RST, or be supervised by an RST holder who is at least 18
- have an observer at least 14 years of age on-board.
Observer = sits backwards, facing the rear (stern) of the boat, watches skier and reports to skipper
A skier landing has right of way over a skier departing
The 50 meter rule still applies to skiers. So if you are towing a water skier, you must be at least 50 metres behind another skier.
Jet Ski (PWC)
You cannot do freestyling and wake jumping on a PWC closer than 30 metres from another PWC and 50m from another vessel or person in the water. (8 knot rule distances also apply)
When operating within protected waters or up to 400 metres from the shore in unprotected waters
- minimum 50S lifejacket for each person on board must be worn
When operating beyond 400m from the shore in unprotected waters,
- minimum 50S lifejacket for each person on board must be worn
- GPS enabled EPIRB or PLB (must be worn)
- Red and Orange flares (in date) OR EVDS
- And when proceeding beyond 4 nautical miles you must also have a marine radio
Dive
The night time signal for divers is a yellow/orange flashing light floating in the water. So whether you see a day flag or a night orange yellow light, it means diver below, keep 50 meters clear, or if this is not possible, travel at the slowest possible speed and keep a good lookout for people in the water.
Weather
Sea and Swell are the names of waves created by different winds.
Swell comes from winds far away, and the swell travels long distances.
Sea is the local waves created by local winds.
Sea and Swell can join together to create occasional large waves.
On a weather map, you can work out wind strength by looking at isobars.
The more isobars there are and the closer they are means stronger winds.
Chart / Tide
The depth numbers you see written on a chart (called Chart Datum) are the depth at Lowest Low Tide.
So if the tide table says high tide is 1 metre this means the water will be 1 metre greater than the depth number shown on the chart.
As an example – if the chart says 1m plus the tide is 1m that means total water depth is 2m.
Trim
When you are travelling in a following sea (with the waves following you), you will be going down the waves and there is a risk of the bow of the boat ‘diving’ so you need to trim the bow up a little.
When going into the waves, the waves can flick the bow up, so you usually trim the bow down a little.
Right of Way
Power boats give way to sail
Approaching berth = down stream gives way, vessel going upstream can berth first
BUT when two motor boats approach the same jetty from the same direction the motor boat on the outside (B) must give way.
What is the rule about Starboard (right)? = look right, stay right, turn right, drive on the right, give way to the right
What are all the sound signals? Here are the meaning for the blasts of the horn.
1 blast = I am going to Starboard (right)
2 blasts = I am going to Port (left)
3 blasts = I am going Astern (going backwards)
5 or more = I don’t know what you are doing, get out of my way
Marks / Signals
Do you know ALL the Cardinal marks from the diagrams? NSWE Port and Starboard.
Also do you know the Isolated Danger and Safe Water marks, as well as the Special Mark (Special Mark shines a yellow light at night).
LEADS – the REAR Lead is to be seen above and behind FRONT lead (Lead markers can shine any colour light at night)
What do sectored lights tell you? = ALL sorts of things, check the chart. It could be shallow and deep and all sorts of things, they don’t just tell you the channel.
Boat and Gear
Where should you store your Batteries = secured in a ventilated container
How often should you clean portable fuel tanks = Yearly
What is Basic floatation? = it prevents boat and max load from sinking
Lights
What are the lights for <12m underway = sidelights, all-round white masthead, stern light
White Anchor light must be on when Anchored = 1 all round and it must NOT be blocked and must be visible from at least 2 nautical miles
Safe water mark light = a rhythm that has a long period of white light (ie not short flashes).
eg occulting (more light than dark) or Isophase (equal light and dark) or long flash every 10 seconds.
Maintenance
Reduce corrosion on electrical system by
- keeping it clean
- keeping it dry
- spraying it with corrosion retardant
Check if an outboard water pump impeller is working by looking for water coming out the tell-tale after it is started
Safety Equipment
Stow your safety equipment on your boat in a place where it is easily reached and preferably visible.
Registrable vessels less than 4.8 metres
When operating within protected waters or up to 400 metres from the shore in unprotected waters: Required:
- lifejackets (one suitable for each person on board, minimum level 100)
When operating beyond 400 metres from shore in unprotected waters: Required:
- lifejackets (must be worn, one suitable for each person on board, minimum level 100)
- GPS enabled EPIRB or PLB (must be worn)
- flares or EVDS
- HF or VHFmarine radio (beyond 4 nautical miles)
Registrable vessels 4.8 metres and larger
When operating within protected waters or up to 400 metres from the shore in unprotected waters: Required:
- lifejackets (one suitable for each person on board, minimum level 100)
When operating beyond 400 metres from shore in unprotected waters: Required:
- lifejackets (one suitable for each person on board and must be worn by children older than one and younger than 12 years when above deck, minimum level 100)
- GPS enabled EPIRB or PLB (must be worn)
- flares or EVDS
- HF or VHF marine radio (beyond 4 nautical miles)
Recommended Additional Safety Equipment
It is recommended an anchor and line, a fire extinguisher and a means of removing water be carried.
Flares
What flares are best for daytime = orange smoke flares
During the day, you could see a red hand-held flare from 4 to 6km away, and at night 10 to 12km away.[
Anchor
What is the flat fluke Anchor type used mostly for sand = Danforth
You should lower your anchor by: Letting it go while moving astern (backwards) slowly.
Anchor line let out should be 5x the depth
Radio
Radio Emergency channel on VHF = channel 16
Kow these 3 emergency radio calls.
Distress call is “Mayday” which can only be used when the boat is in REAL danger such as it is sinking or on fire
Urgency, is “Pan-Pan” and is the call used for breakdown or when medical urgent help is needed
Safety, can be a weather warning, or when you see a navigational hazard, such as a sea container. You use the word “Saycure-e-tay” to let people know it is not mayday and not urgent, but is a ‘security warning’ to vessels.
You need a License to operate a … VHF Marine Radio
Fire
Fire extinguishers are recommended to be carried by vessels propelled by an inboard motor or with cooking, heating or cooling systems that use flames.
How do we know a Fire Extinguisher is “Operational”? = If the gauge shows Green it is operational.
Most fire extinguishers are red, with a band.
The band tells you what is in it.
A white band means Dry Powder.
A blue band means Foam
Emergency
What is hypothermia = major heat loss → lower core temperature
You are NOT obligated to tow someone’s boat, your only obligation is to save life – unless
- you are unable to, or
- if you are not needed (sea rescue coming)
- the circumstances make it Too Dangerous
Why is it advised that you carry 50% extra fuel? = Weather may change
When must report boating accident? = only if serious injury death or vessel unseaworthy
Where is the latest weather report = BOM website (Bureau of Meteorology)
What do you do if you motor stops at sea = first Drop Anchor then consider options.
If you NEED assistance, when do you try to get help? = immediately – ASAP, don’t wait.
Pollution
Who do you tell about marine Pollution = Dept of Transport
NO discharge of sewerage, even if treated in Zone 1 (marinas, yacht club, harbour, port. i.e. where you swim)
