Significant changes have been made to the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation which came into effect on 16th August 2004.
The legislation introduces new licensing laws for master and crew members.
The new laws require the owner of a commercial or fishing vessel to ensure that the vessel is operated by a master who holds an appropriate current licence to operate the vessel as its master.
The law also requires the owner or master to make sure that all crew members hold an
appropriate current licence to act as a crew member for the vessel's operational
area.
The owner or master must ensure that the person acting as engineer of
the vessel holds a licence to act as engineer of that vessel.
However, if the propulsion power of the commercial or fishing vessel is, less than 750kW, a
person does not contravene the laws if the master holds a ship engineer's
licence and acts as both master and engineer of the vessel.
While there are certificates of competency issued for mates, masters and engineers, there has been no formal training requirement for deckhands.
Additionally, under the new legislation, crew members who have
been employed for at least six (6) months must successfully complete an
"Occupational Health and Safety at Sea" course by an approved training provider.
Alternatively, crew must undertake a safety induction course
relevant to their expected length of employment. These new safety training
requirements will be mandatory from September 1 2005, and are intended to
improve the confidence of the deckhand and provide skills to assist the safe
operation of a vessel.
This extension of licensing requirements will enhance safety on the state's waterways through improved levels of competency and safety awareness.
| The Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2004, Act and
Standards | may be accessed online.
New state laws introduced on 16th August 2004 target the potentially lethal practice of drink driving.
The laws affect licensed motor vehicle drivers who also hold a marine driver's license and use the State's waterways.
Under the new legislation any marine license, including commercial
fishing licenses, can be suspended or cancelled if the holder has been convicted
of an offence against the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 by
driving under the influence of liquor or a drug, or any of the breath analysis
offences.
The legislation is part of Maritime Safety Queensland's continuing
efforts to improve safety on the state's waterways.
With 480,000 licensed recreational boaters in the State, operating a vessel under the influence of
drugs or alcohol can be as reckless and dangerous as drink driving on
the roads.
While the public is well aware that it is illegal for anyone with a blood alcohol level over 0.05% to drive a motor vehicle, boat operators should be reminded that the same alcohol rules that apply on Queensland roads also apply to the use of boats in Queensland waters.
Holders of both a motor vehicle license and a marine driver's license should know how few drinks it
takes to reach the legal limit and understand how other factors can influence
the blood alcohol content of drinkers.
Whether operating a motor vehicle or a marine vessel, license holders who drink and drive are putting their own lives at risk as well as the lives of their crew and passengers.
The new
legislation sends a strong message to the boating community that safety on our
waterways is paramount. The best advice for those who value both their motor
vehicle license and their marine license is simple: don't drink and
drive.