Skippers Ticket Workbook

8/7/2019 Skippers Ticket Workbook

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/skippers-ticket-workbook 1/86

WA’s Recreat ional Sk ipper ’ s T icket

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Welcome to a saer uture

To make Western Australia’s waterways saer, a saety standard has been introduced or recreational skippers.

Developed by the Department or Planning and Inrastructure, the agency responsible or marine saety in

Western Australia, the Recreational Skipper’s Ticket (RST) will ensure that people in charge o recreational vessels

have the minimum skills and knowledge to protect themselves, their passengers, and to share the waterways

saely with others.

The RST is a qualifcation based on a set o national marine saety competencies that a skipper must demonstrate

to an authorised assessor. The assessment o these competencies will be in two sections: theory and practical.

Depending on your prior qualifcations, you may be exempt rom the assessment.

This workbook contains all the material that you will need to know to gain a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket:

• an explanation o the enrolment and assessment processes;

• the theoretical components (with sample questions to let you test your knowledge); and

• the practical component skills you will need to demonstrate.

We hope that you will fnd this workbook useul and inormative and trust that the RST process will encourageyou to continue your pursuit or boating knowledge. The greater the depth o your knowledge, the more

confdent and competent you will be in your chosen recreational pursuit.

The Western Australian Recreational Skipper’s Ticket




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T a b l e o f

C o n t e n t s

Contents

WELCOME TO A SAFER FUTURE .....................................................1

THE RECREATIONAL SKIPPER’S TICKET .................8

How do I get one? ..................................................................................................................8

Theoretical Section ......................................................................................................8

Practical Section ................................................................................................................8Who has to have one? ...................................................................................................8

What are the age limits? ...........................................................................................8

Who does the assessing? ........................................................................................8

What must I provide or the Assessor? .....................................9

Eyesight declaration..................................................................................................9

Medical Fitness declaration ........................................................................9

Proof of Identity requirements ............................................................9

POI documents ....................................................................................................................9

Acceptable full – POI documents ..................................................9

Primary identification ........................................................................................10Secondary identification.............................................................................10

Letter o Consent .................................................................................................................10

Exemptions or prior qualifcations ............................................11

Skills recognition .........................................................................................................11

Full assessment ....................................................................................................11

Where can I be assessed?..................................................................................11

How much will it cost? ............................................................................................11

Must I attend a training course? ........................................................11

Will it be recognised in other states? ......................................11

Interstate or overseas ticket valid or three

months......................................................................................................................................................

11

RULES AND REGULATIONS ....................................................................12

Responsibilities and duty o care.....................................................12

Marine Saety signs ........................................................................................................12

Age requirements or skippers .............................................................12

Mooring areas ............................................................................................................................12Speed limit restrictions..........................................................................................13

Obstruction o navigation aids, channels andleads ................................................................................................................................................................13

Limits or small vessels .........................................................................................13

Accident / incident reporting ..................................................................13

Assisting people in distress ..........................................................................13

Saety on board ....................................................................................................................14

Right o way at jetties ..............................................................................................14

Enorcement o cers...................................................................................................14

Diving regulations ............................................................................................................14

Diving flag ...............................................................................................................................14Vessels to keep clear of diving signals ............................14

Water skiing ..................................................................................................................................14

Personal Water Crat.....................................................................................................15

Safety equipment ....................................................................................................15

Freestyle driving, wake and wave jumping ..........15

PWCs in ski areas .........................................................................................................15

Vessel Registration ...........................................................................................................16

Vessels that must be registered....................................................16

Exemptions from registration ...........................................................16

Tenders............................................................................................................................................16

Change of ownership details .............................................................16

Placement of registration numbers .....................................16

Power boats ..........................................................................................................................16

Yachts .................................................................................................................................................16

Inflatable boats ...............................................................................................................16

Tenders............................................................................................................................................16

Pollution and the environment ...........................................................17

Rubbish...........................................................................................................................................17

What you should do? .........................................................................................17

Bilge.......................................................................................................................................................17

Refuelling....................................................................................................................................17

Reporting spills and illegal dumping ................................17

Sewage......................................................................................................................................................18

Zone 1 ...........................................................................................................................................18

Zone 2 ...........................................................................................................................................18

Standard for treated sewage ..............................................................18

Zone 3 ...........................................................................................................................................18

Marine animals and habitat.........................................................................19

Anchoring .................................................................................................................................19

Disturbance of wildlife ....................................................................................19

Noise, wake and wash......................................................................................19Fremantle Bridges .....................................................................................................19

Sel Test Questions...........................................................................................................20




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COLLISION AVOIDANCE .................................................................................21

International regulations or preventingcollisions at sea. ......................................................................................................................21

Responsibility.....................................................................................................................21

Lookout ..........................................................................................................................................21Safe speed.................................................................................................................................21

Assessing risk of collision .........................................................................21

Restricted visibility ...................................................................................................21

Right of way ..........................................................................................................................21

The rules o the road ..................................................................................................22

Sound signals..............................................................................................................................22

Channels ................................................................................................................................................22

Operating rules .......................................................................................................................22

Port ..........................................................................................................................................................22

Starboard....................................................................................................................................

22Stern......................................................................................................................................................22

Overtaking.........................................................................................................................................23

Power to power ......................................................................................................................23

Crossing .......................................................................................................................................23

Meeting head on........................................................................................................23

Sailing vessels.............................................................................................................................23

Wind on different sides..................................................................................23

Wind on the same sides ...............................................................................23

Navigation lights ..................................................................................................................24

Extra care at night .............................................................................................................24

Night vision .....................................................................................................................................24Obstruction o lights ...................................................................................................24

Types o lights ............................................................................................................................25

Placement o lights .........................................................................................................25

Side lights ..................................................................................................................................25

Masthead and stern lights .......................................................................25

Range o visibility o lights ...........................................................................25

Vessels 12 metres to 20 metres .....................................................25

Vessels under 12 metres ..............................................................................25

Lights required or power vessels underway ........25

Vessels under 7 metres andless than 7 knots ..........................................................................................................25


Vessels 12 metres to 20 metres .....................................................26

Sailing vessels underway ...........................................................................26

Sailing vessels under 7 metres ........................................................26

Sailing vessels 7 metres to 20 metres...............................27

Sailing vessels over 20 metres .........................................................27

Optional lights ..........................................................................................................................27

Power/sailing vessels at anchor ..........................................................28


IALA Buoyage .................................................................................................................................29

Navigation aids........................................................................................................................29

Lateral marks ................................................................................................................................29

Port Hand marks ..........................................................................................................29

Starboard Hand marks .....................................................................................29Isolated Danger marks.....................................................................................30

Safe Water marks .........................................................................................................30

Special marks ......................................................................................................................30

Cardinal marks ..........................................................................................................................31

North Cardinal ..................................................................................................................31

East Cardinal .........................................................................................................................31

South Cardinal..................................................................................................................31

West Cardinal......................................................................................................................31

Leads ..............................................................................................................................................................32

Sector Lights .................................................................................................................................32





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T a b l e o f

C o n t e n t s

MAINTENANCE .........................................................................................................................34

Stability.....................................................................................................................................................34

Vessel maintenance ......................................................................................................34

Engine service .......................................................................................................34

Electrical system ................................................................................................34

Batteries.........................................................................................................................................34Spark plugs .............................................................................................................................35

Water pump ..............................................................................................................35

Gearbox oil........................................................................................................................................35

Fuel .....................................................................................................................................................................35

Fire/explosion risks..................................................................................................35

Use clean, fresh fuel ..............................................................................................35

Fuel System ............................................................................................................................35

Propellers..............................................................................................................................................36

Routine maintenance................................................................................................36

Before each trip..............................................................................................................36

After each trip....................................................................................................................36

Monthly..........................................................................................................................................36

Yearly ...................................................................................................................................................36


SAFETY EQUIPMENT ................................................................................................38

Keep it maintained..................................................................................................38

Know where it is stowed.............................................................................38

Know how to use it ................................................................................................38

Know when to use it ...........................................................................................38

The required saety equipment ........................................................39Bailer / bilge pump .........................................................................................................40

Who must carry bilge pumps

or bailing equipment.........................................................................................40

Bailers..................................................................................................................................................40

Bilge pumps ..........................................................................................................................40

Fire extinguishers ...............................................................................................................41

Who must carry a fire extinguisher.......................................41

Inspections..............................................................................................................................41

Serviceable condition.......................................................................................41

Anchors ....................................................................................................................................................42

Anchors – who must carry one.....................................................42

Choosing an anchor.............................................................................................42

Danforth .......................................................................................................................................42

Plough or CQR ..................................................................................................................42

Bruce or spade .................................................................................................................42

Standard stockless .................................................................................................42

Reef or grapnel................................................................................................................42

Anchor cables ...................................................................................................................43

Weather ..........................................................................................................................................43

Selecting a site .................................................................................................................43

Preparing to anchor ..............................................................................................43

Lowering ......................................................................................................................................43

Setting ..............................................................................................................................................43

The scope ...................................................................................................................................43

Recommended scope .....................................................................................43

Monitoring...............................................................................................................................44

Securing the anchor line ............................................................................44

Retrieving the anchor .......................................................................................44

Snagged .....................................................................................................................................44

Maintenance ........................................................................................................................44

Keep chain / rope tidy......................................................................................44

Rules and regulations........................................................................................45

Channels and leads ................................................................................................45

Submarine cables......................................................................................................45

Mooring areas ...................................................................................................................45

Ports.......................................................................................................................................................45




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Lie jackets..........................................................................................................................................46

Life jackets (PFDs) – who must carry them...........46

Types of life jackets .................................................................................................46

AS/NZ Standard.............................................................................................................46

COASTAL and SOLAS life jackets .................................................46

When to wear life jackets ...........................................................................46Choosing a life jacket .........................................................................................47

Size and weight .............................................................................................................47

Maintaining life jackets...................................................................................47

Distress ares ...............................................................................................................................48

Flares – who must carry them.........................................................48

AS/NZ Standard.............................................................................................................48

Red hand–held flares .........................................................................................48

Orange hand–held smoke flares ................................................48

Red parachute distress rockets ......................................................49

Know how to use them. ...............................................................................49Handling and storage .......................................................................................49

Expiry dates............................................................................................................................49

Unauthorised use of flares.......................................................................49

Disposal ..........................................................................................................................................49

EPIRBs .........................................................................................................................................................50

Who must carry an EPIRB...........................................................................50

What do EPIRBs do ..................................................................................................50

Types of EPIRBs................................................................................................................50

AS/NZ Standard (Marine Standard)......................................50

Expiry dates, batteries and servicing..................................

50When to activate a distress beacon .....................................50

If activated by accident .................................................................................51

Storage ............................................................................................................................................51

Important points about EPIRBs .....................................................51

Unauthorised use of EPIRBs ................................................................51

Radios...........................................................................................................................................................52

Radios – who must carry one ...........................................................52

Types of marine radios ....................................................................................52

27 MHz.............................................................................................................................................52

VHF ..........................................................................................................................................................52

MF/HF ................................................................................................................................................52Licensing requirements ................................................................................53

Station licence..................................................................................................................53

Operating procedures......................................................................................53

Radio use – rules and operating hints ............................53

Mobile phone is no substitute ........................................................53

Distress call.......................................................................................................................................54

Distress or urgency .................................................................................................54

Silence periods................................................................................................................54

Mayday ............................................................................................................................................54

Mayday procedure ..................................................................................................54Pan Pan urgency call .........................................................................................55

Pan Pan procedure ..................................................................................................55

Safety call – Securite (Saycure–e–tay) .............................55

Safety call procedure ..........................................................................................55

Routine call .............................................................................................................................55

Radio problem checklist ..............................................................................56

Equipment...............................................................................................................................56

Procedure...................................................................................................................................56

Unauthorised use of radios .................................................................56





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T a b l e o f

C o n t e n t s

TRIP PLANNING ......................................................................................................................58

Seaworthy vessel and skipper................................................................58

Responsibility .............................................................................................................................58

Suitability .............................................................................................................................................58

Loading.....................................................................................................................................................58

Seasickness and sunburn .................................................................................58

Motor check ....................................................................................................................................59

Fuel or the trip ........................................................................................................................59

Reserve uel required .................................................................................................59

Weather ....................................................................................................................................................60

Current forecast.............................................................................................................60

Sources of weather information..................................................60

Internet ...........................................................................................................................................60

Public broadcast radio/television .............................................60

Marine radio ..........................................................................................................................60

Recorded telephone services ...........................................................60

Weather by fax .................................................................................................................60

Publications...........................................................................................................................60

The weather map ......................................................................................................61

Winds ..................................................................................................................................................61

Cold fronts ................................................................................................................................61

Forecast content..........................................................................................................61

Strong wind warnings......................................................................................61

Severe weather...............................................................................................................61

Wind strength and direction ..............................................................62

Sea and land breezes .........................................................................................62

Sea (wind waves) ........................................................................................................62

Swell......................................................................................................................................................62

Sea breezes .............................................................................................................................63

Observing the weather..................................................................................63

Coping with weather .........................................................................................63

Factors affecting visibility ..........................................................................63

Know the conditions ..........................................................................................63

Tides ................................................................................................................................................................64

Sources of tide information ..................................................................64

Tide predictions ............................................................................................................64

Chart Datum ........................................................................................................................64 The weather ‘s effects on the tide ............................................64

Other equipment................................................................................................................65

Navigation ................................................................................................................................65

Navigation charts.......................................................................................................65

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) ............................................65

Depth sounder ................................................................................................................65

Fire blanket ..............................................................................................................................65 Torch .....................................................................................................................................................65

Life raft ..............................................................................................................................................65

Clothing.........................................................................................................................................65

First aid kit .................................................................................................................................66

Life buoy .....................................................................................................................................66

Fresh drinking water ............................................................................................66

Provisions ....................................................................................................................................66

Tool kit ..............................................................................................................................................66

Emergency contact ........................................................................................................67

Log on .............................................................................................................................................67Radio routine ......................................................................................................................67

Log off ...............................................................................................................................................67

Buoyancy ..............................................................................................................................................68

Basic flotation ....................................................................................................................68

Level flotation....................................................................................................................68

Australian Builders Plate...............................................................................68

Overloading ..........................................................................................................................68

Length of boat .................................................................................................................68

Maximum number of people aboard ..............................68

Stability...........................................................................................................................................

68Sel Test Questions...........................................................................................................69




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EMERGENCY SITUATIONS .........................................................................70

Types o emergency ...................................................................................................70

Assisting others ....................................................................................................................70

Leadership .........................................................................................................................................70

Send distress signal .......................................................................................................70

Lie jackets..........................................................................................................................................70

Distress signals .........................................................................................................................71

Radio ..................................................................................................................................................71

EPIRB.....................................................................................................................................................71

Flares ....................................................................................................................................................71

Other distress signals .........................................................................................71

Phone.................................................................................................................................................71

Capsize.......................................................................................................................................................72

Stay with vessel if possible......................................................................72

Sinking..............................................................................................................................................72

Grounding..........................................................................................................................................73

Prevention.................................................................................................................................73

Breakdown........................................................................................................................................73

Outboard not starting ......................................................................................73

Fire.......................................................................................................................................................................74

Some causes of fires ...........................................................................................74

Engine ...............................................................................................................................................74

LPG...........................................................................................................................................................74

Housekeeping ..................................................................................................................74

Keep the bilge and engine room clean.......................74

Technique..................................................................................................................................74

Refuelling....................................................................................................................................75Fighting a fire .....................................................................................................................75

First Aid .....................................................................................................................................................76

Training ...........................................................................................................................................76

Preventive measures ...........................................................................................76

If seasickness strikes..............................................................................................76

Hypothermia.......................................................................................................................76

Huddle/HELP Position ....................................................................................76

Treating hypothermia.......................................................................................77


PROVING YOUR PRACTICAL SKILLS ............................78

Task 1 – Operate vessel saely .................................................................79

Task 2 – Berthing/mooring equipment .............................80

Task 3 – Saety briefng ..........................................................................................81

Task 4 – Motor checking and starting ...................................82

Task 5 – Voyage plan – signing on .................................................83

Task 6 – Departing a berth .............................................................................84

Outboard leg .....................................................................................................................84

Single shaft ..............................................................................................................................85

Twin shaft ...................................................................................................................................86

Task 7 – Retrieve a simulated personoverboard............................................................................................................................................87

Task 8 – Determine position by usingnavigational marks, transits and otherlandmarks............................................................................................................................................88

Task 9 – Controlled stop .......................................................................................89

Task 10 – Vessel is saely navigated andsecured alongside a berth ..............................................................................90

Outboard leg.......................................................................................................................91

Single shaft ..............................................................................................................................92

Twin shaft ...................................................................................................................................93

Task 11 – Voyage plan – signing o ...........................................94

Summary o practical tasks ....................................................................95

Glossary ..........................................................................................................................................................97

Answers to the Sel Test Questions ...................................99

Appendix 1 – Letter o Consent .............................................100




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The Recreational Skipper’s Ticket

The RST is a qualifcation based on a set o national

marine saety competencies that a skipper must

demonstrate to an authorised assessor.

The assessment o these competencies will be in

two sections: theory and practical.

Depending on your prior qualifcations, you may

be exempt rom the assessment.

How do I get one?

To obtain an RST you must have your skills assessed

by an RST authorised assessor.

The assessments will test your skills and knowledge

in the ollowing areas:

Theoretical SectionA 30 question multiple-choice paper (using

questions o a similar standard to the samples in

this workbook) will assess your knowledge and

understanding o:

• rules and regulations;

• international collision rules;

• buoyage and other navigation aids;

• navigation lights;

• maintenance o vessel, motor and

equipment;• saety equipment required to be carried;

• trip planning, and responsibilities to

passengers; and

• distress signals, and response to distress and

other emergencies.

Practical Section

The assessment eectively requires you to

demonstrate a well-conducted boating trip,

including preparation and vessel manoeuvring.

Specifc tasks you will be assessed on include:

• throughout the assessment, operating withinthe rules and regulations;

• checking the condition o a vessel’s berthing

and mooring equipment;

• conducting a saety briefng or all on board;

• starting the motor saely;

• logging a voyage plan;

• saely departing a berth;

• conducting a simulated man overboard

operation;

• steering a steady course with the aid o a

transit;

• perorming a controlled stop;

• returning to a berth and securing the vessel;

and

• logging o.

Who has to have one?

The person in charge o a recreational vessel with a

motor greater than 4.5 kilowatts (6 HP) (RST vessel)

must hold a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket.What are the age limits?

People o 14 years and older may hold an RST;

however i you are between 14 and 16 years o

age you may only operate an RST vessel, as the

person in charge, during daylight hours and at a

maximum speed o 8 knots.

Who does the assessing?

You will need to book in or assessment

through an RST authorised provider. The

Department maintains a list o RST authorisedproviders that can be viewed on our website:

www.dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine/19318.asp

R e c r e a t i o n a l S k i p p e r ’ s T i c k e t

On passing your RST assessment you will receivean RST Interim Certifcate.




Page - 9

What must I provide or the assessor?

Beore assessment can take place, you must

complete an RST Application Form and provide

the assessor with certain declarations (eyesight

and medical) and Proo o Identity (POI).

Eyesight declaration

To hold an RST you must have a minimum

corrected vision standard o at least 6/12, in at

least one eye.

A valid Australian Motor Driver’s Licence or an

International Driver’s Licence as listed on the

Department’s website www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/

mylicence/1363.asp#Recognised_countries, will be

accepted as proo o adequate eyesight to be in

charge o a recreational powerboat.

I you don’t hold a recognised Australian Motor

Driver’s Licence (see above) you will need to have a

medical practitioner, qualifed nurse or optometrist

complete the separate eyesight assessment

orm. The orm is available rom your authorised

provider or can be downloaded rom our website:

www.dpi.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/mar_rb_medical_

orm.pd

Medical ftness declaration

A serious medical condition could conceivablyaect your ability to operate a recreational

vessel saely. A sel-declared medical statement

is required beore obtaining the RST.

You must advise the Department i you suer rom

any physical or mental condition that could aect

your ability to operate a motor vessel saely. This

could include:

• epilepsy, fts, giddiness, ainting, seizures;

• heart disease;

• high/low blood pressure;• arthritis; or

• type 1 diabetes.

I you suer rom any o the above listed

conditions and you believe that it could aect

your ability to operate a motor vessel saely,

you must have a medical practitioner complete

a Medical Declaration orm on your behal. The

orm is available rom your authorised provider

or can be downloaded rom our website:

www.dpi.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/mar_rb_medical_orm.pd

Proo o identity requirements

As part o the enrolment process, proo o identity

(POI) needs to be established. Applicants must

show POI to veriy their name and signature.

A valid photographic Australian driver’s licence

will satisy the POI requirements. People without

a driver’s licence will need to provide POI

documents.

POI Documents

To satisy these POI requirements, you must

provide either:

• one ull POI document; or

• one primary plus one secondary POI

document.

You must provide the original documents orcertifed copies. At least one document must show

your signature.

Acceptable ull POI Documents – no other

proo required

You can prove your identity with any one o the

ollowing current ull POI documents:

• Photographic driver’s licence issued within

Australia;

• Australian passport;

• Document o identity issued by the Passport

O ce;

• Australian Deence Force photographic

identity card;

• Federal or Western Australian police o cers

photographic identity card;

• Police Warrant Card;

• Proo o Age Card issued by the Department

or Planning and Inrastructure;

• Marine Certifcate o Competency carrying a

photograph o the holder; or

• Western Australian photograph (security)

licence issued by or cleared with the Western

Australian Police Service.

I you have changed your name, you must provide

one o the ollowing:

• a marriage certifcate;

• divorce papers; or

• change o name certifcate, deed poll papers

or ‘licence to change name’ documentation.

I you cannot provide ull POI documents you

must provide one primary PLUS one secondary

POI document.

R e c r e a

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k i p p er ’ s T i c k e t




Page - 10

Acceptable orms o primary identifcation

are:

• an overseas passport (which can have

expired within the last two years);

• an Australian citizenship or naturalisation

document or immigration papers issuedby the Department o Immigration and

Multicultural and Indigenous Aairs,

and local government and Ethnic Aairs

documents issued by a passport o ce;

• Western Australian Firearm Licence;

• a birth certifcate, or an extract o the birth

certifcate (must be a certifed copy rom the

issuing body);

• a consular photo identity card issued by the

Department o Foreign Aairs and Trade;

• Certifcate o Aboriginality issued by an

organisation (eg Land Council) recognised

by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Commission;

• a photographic licence issued by an

Australian driver licensing authority (which

can have expired within the last two years);

and

• a security licence (which can have expired

within the last two years).

Acceptable orms o secondary identifcation

are:

• a current entitlement card issued by a

Commonwealth government department

(or example, a Medicare card);

• a current card or account card rom a bank,building society or credit union;

• a passbook or account statement rom a

bank, building society or credit union (not

more than 12 months old);

• a telephone, gas or electricity account (not

more that 12 months old);

• a water or local rate notice or land valuation

notice (not more than two years old);

• an electoral card or other evidence o

enrolment (not more than two years old);

• Armed Services discharge papers (not more

than two years old);

• a certifcate or statement o accomplishment

or enrolment rom a recognised educational

institution; and

• a letter (not more than 12 months old) rom

the principal o a recognised educational

institution.

Letter o Consent

I you’re under 18, you must have a letter o consent

signed by your parent or legal guardian prior to

assessment (See Appendix 1, page 100).

R e c r e a t i o n a l S k i p p e r ’ s T i c k e t




Page - 11

Exemptions or prior qualifcations

I you hold an approved commercial marine

qualifcation (not engineering) issued by the

Department you will not be required to undergo

any urther assessment to receive an RST.

Upon request the Department will issue you an

RST application orm, once the orm has been

completed and returned to the Department an

RST will be issued.

Skills recognition

I you hold a current/valid interstate boat driver’s

licence or an acceptable qualifcation that is listed

on the Department’s website, www.dpi.wa.gov.

au/imarine/19319.asp, or an approved commercial

marine qualifcation (not engineering) issued

outside o Western Australia you may apply or

an RST through the Skills Recognition scheme.

This will require submitting your qualifcation to

an authorised provider or verifcation.

A list o authorised providers can be ound on our

website: www.dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine/19318.asp

Full Assessment

I you don’t qualiy or the Skills Recognition scheme

you will need to complete both the practical and

the theory assessments. The theory section consists o 30 multiple-choice

questions. You will need to get at least 24 correct

beore progressing to the practical assessment.

The practical assessment will take about 60 minutes

and requires you to skipper a vessel through three

sections.

Section 1 – tasks you would complete prior to

departure.

Section 2 – tasks involving departing and a varietyo tasks on the voyage.

Section 3 – tasks that you would complete upon

your return to a berth.

Once you have successully completed the theory

section and demonstrated the practical tasks to

the satisaction o the assessor you will be issued

with your RST.

Where can I be assessed?

A network o RST authorised providers and their

assessors has been established providing a good

coverage throughout the state. A list o providers

can be ound on the Department’s website:


How much will it cost?

The RST authorised assessor will charge you a ee

or assessment. This ee is not regulated by the

Department so it would be wise to shop around

or the best deal.

You may re-sit the assessment as many times as

you require; however, you may be required to pay

the assessment ee on each attempt.

There are no government ees or charges associatedwith the RST and the ticket is valid or your

lietime.

Must I attend a training course?

No, the only requirement is to pass the theory and

practical assessments. Whether or not to attend a

training course is your choice.

Will it be recognised in other states?

All states require that boat drivers prove

themselves to a common set o standards, so each

state’s qualifcation will be recognised in otherstates the same way a car driver’s licence is. When

visiting other states always check with the local

marine authority to ensure you meet all o their

requirements.

Interstate or overseas ticket valid or three

months

I you hold a valid/current interstate or oreign

skipper’s ticket, recognised by the Department

and listed on the Department’s website, www.

dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine/19319.asp and you enterWestern Australia, as a visitor or with the intention

o permanently residing in the State, it will be

taken that you hold a recreational skipper’s ticket

until three months have elapsed since you entered

the State.

Ater that period you must apply or an RST, under

the Skills Recognition scheme, i you wish to

continue operating an RST vessel in this State.

R e c r e a

t i on al S

k i p p er ’ s T i c k e t




Page - 12

Rules and regulations

Western Australia’s waters keep getting busier, and

a great range o activities share the limited space.

To ensure the saety o all boaters, there are rules

and regulations.

At the end o this section, skippers will have a good

knowledge o the specifc rules and regulations

that apply within the navigable waters o Western

Australia.

Responsibilities and duty o care

Long beore the modern expression ‘duty o care’

was invented, the concept was accepted as the

skipper’s job. It does not matter whether you are

the master o a large ship or skipper o your own

trailer boat – you are responsible or the saety o

your vessel, crew and passengers; you must not

endanger any other vessel; and you must be ready

to assist others who need help.

In this workbook you will fnd advice on planning

trips, preparing your vessel, briefng your

passengers and taking account o their special

needs. Having a good working knowledge o the

workbook’s contents will be a very good start to

becoming a responsible skipper.

Marine Saety signs

All special-use areas – this includes water skiing,

boating prohibited and swimming prohibited

– have signs at the limits o the areas. These must

be strictly obeyed. At the launching ramps near ski

areas there are also signs explaining the rules or

that particular area, hours o operation, direction

o the ski circuit, etc.

Areas subject to speed limits will have signs

depicting the maximum speed limit or the area.

Make yoursel amiliar with these requirements.

Age requirements and restrictions or

skippers

RST exempt vessel

A person in charge o a recreational vessel with a

motor o 4.5 kilowatts (6hp) or less ( RST Exempt

Vessel) is not required to hold an RST. The ollowing age restriction applies:

Under 10 years: may not drive a motor boat .

RST Vessel

The person in charge o a recreational vessel with a

motor greater than 4.5 kilowatts (6hp) (RST vessel)

must be at least 14 years old and hold an RST.

The ollowing age restrictions apply:

14 – 16 years: restricted to operating during

daylight hours at a speed lessthan 8 knots.

Persons over 10 years o age that do not hold an

RST, may drive a RST vessel i they are under the

direct supervision o a person who is at least 18

years o age and is the holder o an RST.

RST to be carried

You must carry your RST and be able to produce it

i required when skippering an RST vessel.

Update o address The holder o an RST must notiy the Department

within 21 days o a change o name or address. The

orm can be downloaded rom our website:www.

dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine/19127.asp#RST

Mooring areas

There are many sheltered places in WA where boat

owners can moor their vessels, however you need

to seek authorisation rom the Department beore

you can lay a mooring in any navigable water.

Moorings within Mooring Control Areas, (Rottnest

and the Swan and Canning rivers are examples)

must be installed and maintained to a specifed

standard.

You must have approval rom the Department

or the local authority to use a mooring within a

mooring control area.

Only one vessel at a time is permitted on a mooring,

and the vessel must be no larger than the mooring

was designed/approved or.

For more inormation about moorings visit our

website: www.dpi.wa.gov.au/moorings

R u

l e s a n d

R e g u l a t

i o n s

Speed restricted areas are marked by signs.




Page - 13

Speed limit restrictions

You are not allowed to travel at a speed or in a

way that causes a nuisance or damage to people

or other vessels, or causes damage or erosion to

the bank or property.

Without the approval o the Department you may

not drive a powerboat at over 8 knots:

• through an arch o a bridge (unless water

skiing is specifcally permitted or a bridge);

• in or through a mooring area;

• within 15 metres o a vessel underway; and

• within 45 metres o:

(i) a moored vessel;

(ii) a person in the water;

(iii) a jetty or whar; or

(iv) a river bank or low water mark.

Obstruction o navigation aids, channels

and leads

Crab nets, fshing nets, marker buoys – or any other

buoyed objects – are not allowed in any channel,

airway or passage without the permission

o the Department. Anchoring or mooring is

also prohibited in these areas unless you are in

distress.

You must not secure a vessel to a beacon or other

navigation aid.

Limits or small vessels

Vessels under 3.75 metres in length (including

personal watercrat) may not go urther to sea

than fve nautical miles rom the mainland.

Accident / Incident reporting

When an accident results in serious injury or death,

or the vessel has been damaged enough to make

it unseaworthy or unsae, the owner or skipper

must report ull particulars o the incident to the

Department within seven days.

You can pick up a special orm rom the

Department’s o ces, download it rom our website:

www.dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine/19131.asp or phone

(08) 9216 8999 or one to be sent to you.

Assisting people in distress

All boaters have a legal obligation to assist people

in distress unless:

• they are unable to – perhaps the call or

assistance was rom too ar away;

• assistance is not required – perhaps Sea

Rescue has taken over; or

• the circumstances make it too dangerous.

I an accident occurs nearby, you must assist where

possible, provided it does not seriously endanger

you or your passengers.

R ul e s an d R e g ul a t i

on s

TYPE OF INCIDENT

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏

❏ ❏ ❏

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏

❏ ❏ ❏

❏ ❏ ❏

❏ ❏

INCIDENT DESCRIPTION

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏

❏ ❏ ❏

❏ ❏ ❏

❏

SEVERITY

❏ ❏

❏ ❏

❏ ❏

❏

LOCATION

❏ ❏

❏ ❏

Tying up to navigational markers is prohibited.

Marine incidents causing serious injury or damage must be

reported to the Department.




Page - 14

Diving regulations

Diving ag

A boat with divers working rom it must carry the

appropriate day or night signals. The daytime signal

or divers is an International Code Flag “A”. The ag

must be at least 750mm long and 600mm wide.Divers operating without a vessel, or example

rom a jetty, must also display the International

Code Flag “A” o the same minimum size.

You can choose to show this ag rom a buoy, in

which case the minimum size must be 300mm

in length and 200mm in width. The ag must

be clearly visible to all vessels operating in the

vicinity.

By night the diver’s vessel, as well as appropriate

lights such as an anchor light, must show three all-

round lights in a vertical line: the top and bottom

lights red, the middle one white.

People engaged in night diving without a vessel

must display a yellow-orange ashing light

that can be seen rom a minimum distance o

200 metres.

Vessels to keep clear o diving signals

All vessels must keep at least 50 metres clear o boats, buoys or areas showing diving signals.

Where it is not possible to keep 50 metres clear,

the approaching vessel should travel at the slowest

possible speed and keep a good lookout or people

in the water.

Enorcement o cers

In Western Australia, the Department or Planning

and Inrastructure, Department o Fisheries, and the

Water Police administer the acts and regulations

that apply to recreational boats and boaters. They

regularly check vessels or registration and saety

gear, as well as controlling the behaviour o water

users.

Water skiing

“Water skiing” means being towed over water, at

a speed o 8 knots or more, by a motor boat, so

as to be supported on the surace by a ski or skis,

an aquaplane or other apparatus, or the eet. You

may ski only in gazetted ski areas.

The international collision rules still apply to ski

areas.

The driver o a vessel engaged in water skiing must

be at least 17 years o age and hold an RST. The

driver must also be accompanied by an observer

who is at least 14 years old. The observer must be

on board and watching the skier at all times.

The driver must keep a proper lookout at all times

and should not be watching the skier.Saety on board

Once a vessel is underway, everybody on board

must keep all parts o their bodies within the limits

o the hull.

Right o way at jetties

When two power boats approach the same public

jetty rom dierent directions, the vessel travelling

down river must give way.

R u

l e s a n d

R e g u l a t

i o n s

Down River

A B

Don’t put your legs over the side.

The Code “A” dive ag must be visible or 360 0.

The vessel travelling down river “B” must give way to vessel

travelling up river “A”.




Page - 15

Personal Water Crat

A personal watercrat (PWC) – oten called a jet

ski – is a crat propelled by an inboard motor

powering a water jet pump. The operator sits,

stands or kneels and uses handlebars to steer it.

PWCs are powerboats as ar as the rules are

concerned. This means there are rules on the age

o drivers, the distance oshore they can operate,

equipment to be carried, speed limits and so

on. There are, however, a ew extra rules and a

ew concessions which bear in mind the PWC’s

limitations.

Saety equipment or PWCs

Every person on board a PWC must wear a personal

otation device (PFD) at all times:

• Within protected waters or 400 metres o the

shore in unprotected waters it can be a PFD

Type 1, 2, or 3.

• Between 400 metres and two nautical miles

rom shore in unprotected waters a PFD

Type 1 must be worn. You must also carry

an inshore distress are kit, in serviceable

condition.

• Between two and fve nautical miles, a PFD

Type 1 must be worn. You must also carry an

inshore distress are kit and an EPIRB.

• Vessels under 3.75 metres are not permitted

more than fve nautical miles o shore.

Freestyle driving, wake and wave jumping

Freestyle driving is driving a PWC in such a way

that the driver o another vessel would be unable

to predict your course and speed in order to avoid

a collision with you.

Wave and wake jumping is driving your PWC over

a wave or swell with the aim o becoming airborne.

The wave or the swell may be ormed naturally or

by the passage o a vessel.

Freestyle driving and wake jumping is

prohibited:

• within any speed restricted area;

• within 30 metres o another PWC; and

• within 50 metres o another vessel or personin the water.

PWCs in ski areas

PWCs are prohibited in most water ski areas unless

they are being used to tow water skiers.

PWCs are permitted to operate in most o the large

oshore water ski areas such as Warnbro, Cockburn

Sound and Geographe Bay.

Check the signs at the launching ramps beore

using your PWC.

P er s on al W a t er c r af t

Freestyle driving is not permitted within 50 metres o another vessel.




Page - 16

Vessel Registration

Vessels that must be registered

I your vessel has a motor, or is ftted or one, it

must be registered with the Department and will

be subject to an annual registration ee. I your

vessel is currently registered in another state,you get three months grace ater bringing it

into Western Australia. Ater that time, you must

register it in this state.

Exemptions rom registration

The ollowing recreational vessels do not have to

be registered:

• yachts (un-powered and not ftted with an

engine mount);

• canoes; and• sur skis and other crat without motors.

Tenders

A tender vessel to a larger vessel does not have to

be registered provided it is:

• no more than 3.1 metres long;

• has a motor no bigger than 3.73kWp (5hp);

and

• is used only as a lieboat and or ship to shore

transport.

Change o ownership details

The owner o a registered vessel must notiy the

Department within 15 days o any changes to the

registered details o the vessel or the address o

the owner.

The seller must notiy the Department within

seven days o selling the vessel.

The buyer must notiy the Department within

15 days o buying the vessel.

Placement o registration numbers and

sticker

Numbers must be fxed as ollows:

Powerboats – Midships on both sides o the hull

where they are clearly visible – not under the are

o the bow – 150mm high.

Yachts – On the side o the hull immediately

orward o the transom – 50mm high.

Infatable boats – As or a powerboat or on boards

hung over either side –150mm high.

Tenders – Must have its parent vessel’s number

displayed on each side o the boat orward o the

transom.

On all vessels, the registration sticker must be

fxed on the port side o the vessel, adjacent to

the registration number.

R e g i s

t r a t i o n

Tender vessels do not require registration but must display the

numbers o the parent vessel.

Powerboats numbers must be placed midships on both sides o

the hull.

Yacht numbers must be placed immediately orward o the

transom.




Page - 17

Pollution and the environment

State and Commonwealth laws, based on

international conventions, cover all kinds o

marine pollution including rubbish, oil, plastics

and sewage. Pollution is taken so seriously that the

penalties can be up to $200,000 or an individualand $1,000,000 or companies.

Rubbish

The pollution regulations relating to boating state

that there is no dumping o:

• Oil or noxious substances or plastic

anywhere. Plastics include synthetic ropes

and synthetic fshing lines and nets.

• Floating rubbish within 25 nautical miles o

the nearest land.• Garbage including ood wastes, paper

products, rags, glass or metals within

12 nautical miles rom the nearest land, or

three nautical miles i the garbage has been

passed through an approved grinder.

What you should do

You need to plan. Small vessels have to arrangeto store garbage, waste or oily bilge water and

noxious substances on board until they can be

discharged responsibly when back in port. Larger

vessels may operate ar enough oshore to dispose

o garbage and waste at sea, but no vessel can

release waste oils, oily bilge or noxious substances

anywhere at sea or in the inland waters o Western

Australia.

Bilge

Check your bilges and keep them clean and dry.

I an automatic bilge pump puts an oil and bilge

water mix in the water it will land you in trouble.

Inspect uel lines and seals regularly and ensure

that oil leaks are dealt with quickly.

Fit a drip tray under the engines with drainage to

a holding tank or disposal ashore.

Consider ftting high e ciency by-pass oil flters.

These decrease the requency o oil changes.

I you have engine oil leaks, consider placing oil

absorbent/water repellent material in the bilge.

This is not expensive.

Reuelling

Reuelling is the most common time or spillage

o uel into the environment. The same procedure

that guards against risk o fre during and ater

reuelling (detailed in the Emergencies section)

will also help prevent pollution.

In particular guard against overflling by:

• knowing how much uel you need to take

(allowing space in the tank or expansion);

• not leaving the flling nozzle unattended;and

• listening or blow back rom the tank

breathers – you may need to slow the flling

rate.

Reporting spills and illegal dumping

Under Western Australian law, the polluter must

report spills o oil or noxious substances to the

Department or Planning and Inrastructure – and

there are penalties or ailing to do so.

The inormation needed is:

• when and where the incident occurred;

• name and registration number o the

oending vessel;

• type and extent o pollution; and

• any other relevant inormation.

For urther inormation or to report an incident

phone: Marine Environmental Protection Unit

(08) 9480 9924.

P ol l u t i on

Rubbish must be kept on board and returned to shore or

disposal.




Page - 18

Sewage

The discharge o sewage rom vessels, especially

at popular destinations, reduces water quality,

creates a human health risk and is universally

loathed aesthetically.

To limit the impact o sewage on our environment,

the State Government has adopted a regulatory

plan that establishes three sewage discharge

zones based on the degree o risk to public health

and/or the environment:

• areas o water where sewage discharge is

completely prohibited or health and/or

environmental reasons;

• areas where treated sewage discharge is

acceptable; and

• areas, mostly well oshore, where untreated

sewage can be discharged rom vessels

saely.

Zone 1: No Discharge Zone

The discharge o sewage rom vessels, treated or

untreated, is prohibited in Zone 1.

The no discharge zone includes:

• marinas, yacht clubs, boat harbours and

ports/maritime export acilities;

• most inland waters;

• designated areas o the Rottnest Island

Marine Reserve;

• marine nature reserves and sanctuary zones

within marine parks;

• designated parts o marine parks, marine

management areas or fsh habitat protection

areas;

• within 500 metres o any aquaculture

operation;

• within 100 metres o any recognised

swimming area; and

• other designated areas o high

environmental value.

Zone 2: No discharge except or vessels with

approved treatment systems

Sewage treated to an approved standard can be

discharged in Zone 2.

The treated sewage discharge zone includes

designated areas outside o Zone 1 such as:

• parts o estuaries, marine parks and fsh

habitat protection areas, where the dilution

actor is deemed to be satisactory;

• the remainder o the Rottnest Island Marine

Reserve; and

• waters more than 20 metres rom a

stationary vessel or person in the water.

Standard or treated sewage The Department o Health has responsibility or

approving sewage treatment devices that operate

to an acceptable standard or discharge in this

zone.

The discharge specifcation is:

• Thermo tolerant coliorms – less than

125/100ml.

• Solids – no visible oating solids.

Zone 3: Open ZoneUntreated sewage may be discharged rom vessels

within Zone 3.

Zone 3 comprises all State Waters except:

• those waters which are within Zone 1 or

Zone 2;

• waters within 500 metres o land; and

• waters within 100 metres o a stationary

vessel or person in the water.

Boat owners and operators must adopt onboardsewage management measures i sewage is likely

to be generated. This could be a portable toilet,

holding tank or a sewage treatment system.

It is important to check with the relevant authority

to fnd out the zoning or the area in which you

are boating.

S e w

a g e




Page - 19

Marine Animals and Habitat

Anchoring

A piece o vandalism you may never realise

you are committing is damage to the seabed

when anchoring. Rees and sea grass beds are

very important to sea lie, and you should avoidanchoring on them. You can almost always fnd a

patch o sand among them that your anchor will

not hurt. I you have no choice but to anchor on

ree, use a specialised ree anchor.

Note: There may be “anchoring prohibited” rules

in parts o marine national parks.

Disturbance o wildlie

You should not try to get close to sea lions, whales,

dolphins and whale sharks – they can becomedistressed, especially i the mammals have babies

with them.

Noise, wake and wash

Another orm o pollution is the nuisance you

can cause simply by operating your vessel

thoughtlessly. Wake and wash can cause damage

to vessels on moorings and in pens, and injury

to people on board them. Keep your speed low

enough to cause negligible wash when passing

near these areas – and also in the vicinity o wildlie.

Just like many near-shore residents, wildlie

can also be upset by noise. For the sake o both

people and wildlie limit the noise you have control

over – music or instance – and ensure that your

exhaust noise has not increased with the age o

your motor.

Fremantle Bridges

Access to the ocean or many thousands o

metropolitan boaters is through the Fremantle

bridges, the narrowest part o the river and

the point where the tidal streams ow most

strongly.

Ferries, charter boats, yachts, power boats and

dinghies merge and have to share the available

water. Ferries, their steering less eective at low

speed, need plenty o room. Most people realise

this and stay well clear, but many do not realise

the special problems o yachts.

All but the smallest yachts have to lower their

masts to pass under the two downstream bridges,

and this makes them vulnerable in two ways. With

the compensating weight o the mast now at deck level, the keel has a stronger eect and makes

the boat’s rolling motion more violent. The crew

fnd it harder to keep their eet, but the lowered

mast is almost unrestrained and strong rolling can

damage it and anyone nearby.

I you can, avoid passing a yacht near the bridges,

stay well clear and reduce your wake.

E nvi r o

nm en t

Wash rom vessels can cause bank erosion. Avoid passing a yacht near the bridges, stay well clear and reduce

your wake.




Page - 20

Section 1 – Sel Test Questions

Q1. When operating a power-driven vessel

near a person in the water you must:

A. Not exceed 4 knots within 100 metres.

B. Not exceed 6 knots within 100 metresC. Not exceed 8 knots within 45 metres

D. Not exceed 10 knots within 50 metres.

Q2. What is the maximum speed limit within

15 metres o a vessel underway?

A. 4 knots.

B. 7 knots.

C. 8 knots.

D. 10 knots.


a mooring area or boat haven?

A. 4 knots.

B. 7 knots.

C. 8 knots.

D. 10 knots.

Q4. What types o boating accidents must

be reported?

A. All accidents.

B. All accidents involving powered-vessels or water skiers.

C. Accidents resulting in seriousinjury or death, or i the vessel hasbeen damaged enough to make it unseaworthy or unsae.

D. Accidents involving loss o lie, personal injury or property damageover $1000.

Q5. What vessels are required to be

registered?

A. Vessels ftted with an engine o 5horsepower or more.

B. Other than a tender, all recreational vessels ftted with, or can be ftted with an engine

C. All recreational vessels over 3.1metres ftted with an engine.

D. None o the above.

Q6. What does this fag (pictured) indicate?

A. Dangerous cargo being carried onboard a vessel – keep well away.

B. Diver below – keep 50 metres clear or travel at the slowest possible speed and keep a good lookout or peoplein the water.

C. Shallow water – proceed with cautionin the vicinity.

D. Vessel aground keep clear.

Q7. A Recreational Skipper’ s Ticket entitles

you to drive:

A. Vessels under 8 metres in length only.

B. All recreational vessels.

C. All commercial vessels.

D. All recreational and commercial vessels.


45 metres o a jetty, whar or the shore?

A. 8 knots.

B. 6 knots.

C. 10 knots.

D. No speed limit applies.

R u l e s a n

d R e g u l a t i o n s –

S e l f T e s t

Answers to the sel test questions can be ound on page 99.




Page - 21

Collision avoidance

International regulations or preventing

collisions at sea

These are the tra c laws o the sea, and every ship

or vessel aoat has to obey them.

All actions must be clear, in good time, and large

enough so other skippers will understand your

intentions. Generally alterations o course are

more obvious than alterations o speed, but never

hesitate to slow down to give yoursel thinking

time or more room.

There is a lot o detail i n the

collision rules, but this summary covers the main

principles.

At the end o this section, skippers shall have aworking knowledge o the International Prevention

o Collision at Sea Regulations, a thorough

knowledge o the International Association o

Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) system o buoyage

and a good understanding o navigation lights.

Responsibility

Everyone has a responsibility to avoid collisions

so, even i the rules require another vessel to keep

out o your way, you must be ready to take action

yoursel.Lookout

Perhaps the most important rule o all. You must

keep a good lookout with eyes and ears at all times,

especially in poor visibility and at night. At those

times, i you have radar, sounder or plotter you

should use it.

Sae speed

The lookout rule links with another that calls or

you to travel at a speed that gives you time to

manoeuvre to avoid collisions. Visibility, volume o

tra c, background lighting and the water depthare some o the actors that might cause you to

slow down.

Assessing risk o collision

Constantly assess all the vessels in the vicinity

to see i they are likely to come close. A useul

technique is to see whether your line o sight (the

bearing) to another vessel does not move ahead

or drop back. I it is steady, you are on, or nearly

on, a collision course.

Any action you now take under the rules must be

obvious to the other vessel, and result in passing

well clear.

Restricted visibility

Fog is not common in Western Australia, but it

certainly occurs. A good lookout becomes even

more vital, and you should make yoursel more

visible by turning on your navigation lights. Slow

down and be ready to stop i you sight another

vessel or hear a og signal.

Right o Way

In general, power vessels have to keep out o the

way o sailing and commercial fshing vessels,

and vessels that are hampered by such tasks as

dredging, cable laying and so on.

Power gives way to sail.

C o

l l i s i onR

e g ul a t i on s

Always keep a good lookout.




Page - 22

The rules o the road

The rules o the road, which apply on all waters in

this state, also apply all over the world. You must

keep a good lookout at all times and be ready to

give way to other vessels.

I you must give way, do it in good time and make a

move which will be obvious to the other vessels.

The golden rule is “look to the right, give way to

the right, turn to the right and stay to the right”.

Sound signals

Sound signals are sometimes used by ships and

erries to indicate an action they are about to

take:

One short blast: I am altering course to

starboard.

Two short blasts: I am altering course to port.

Three short blasts: My engines are going

astern.

Five short blasts: (o cially) I am unsure o your

intentions; (practically) you are not ollowing therules – get out o the way.

Channels

In narrow channels, all vessels should keep to the

starboard side o the channel.

Operating rules

C o

l l i s i o n R e g u l a t i

o n s

P o r t

S t er n

S t a

r b o a r

d

112.50 112.50

1350

Port

I a power-driven vessel

approaches within this

sector maintain yourcourse and speed with

caution.

Starboard

I any vessel

approaches within this

sector, keep out o itsway. (Note: This rule

may not always apply

i one or both vessels

are sailboats.)

Stern

I any vessel approachesthis sector, maintain your

course and speed with

caution.




Page - 23

Overtaking

This rule overrides all the other give-way rules.

The overtaking vessel (including sailing vessels)

must keep out o the way o the vessel being

overtaken.

You can pass on either side o the vessel, but keep

well clear – the other skipper may not have seen

you.

I you are being overtaken, hold your course and

speed until the other vessel is past and well clear.

A keeps clear of B.

Power to power

Crossing

I the other vessel is on your right (starboard) side

it has right o way and you must keep clear: you

must either turn right, slow down to let the other

vessel pass ahead o you – or do both.

I the other vessel is on your port side, you have

right o way and should hold your course andspeed. However, i you think the other vessel is

leaving it too late, you have to take action yoursel.

The “right rule” still applies: i you alter course, alter

to the right (starboard). Or you can slow down,

or do both.

A gives way to B.

Meeting head on

Both vessels must alter course to the right

(starboard). I the other vessel turns the wrong

way, you should turn even more right, slow down,

or stop your vessel.

Both vessels alter course to starboard.

Sailing vessels

Wind on dierent sides

When sailing vessels have the wind on dierent

sides, the vessel that has the wind on the port side

shall keep out o the way o the other.

A keeps clear of B.

I a sailing vessel with the wind on the port side

sees a sailing vessel to windward and cannot

determine with certainty whether the other sailing

vessel has the wind on the port or starboard side,

it shall keep out o the way.

Wind on the same sides

When both sailing vessels have the wind on the

same side, the vessel which is the closest to the

wind (windward) shall keep out o the way o the

vessel which is to leeward.

A keeps clear of B.

C o

l l i s i onR

e g ul a t i on s

Wind

A

B

Wind

A B

A

B

A B




Page - 24

Navigation lights

Navigating at night requires special care and

attention. Vessels that operate rom sunset to

sunrise, whether at anchor or underway, must

carry and exhibit the correct lights. A vessel is

underway when not anchored, moored to theshore or aground.

Navigation lights must also be displayed during

daylight hours in periods o restricted visibility.

All vessels must comply with the regulations

concerning lighting.

Extra care at night

Many navigation aids are unlit, and there are many

other potential hazards, so keep your speed down.

Some areas may have special speed limits ater

dark; or example, the open speed limit areas

o the Swan and Canning rivers are reduced to

10 knots between sunset and sunrise.

Night vision

Keep lighting within your own vessel to a minimum;

it preserves your night vision. Similarly, only use

spotlights where it is vital to pick up an unlit object

(mooring buoys or instance), because you need

to respect other people’s night vision.

Lights must not be obscured

Check that your vessel’s structure does not obscure

the navigation lights. The masthead light on many

trailer boats is on an extending pole at the stern,

and it does not lit high enough to be visible over

the cabin top or windscreen. This is dangerous

and unacceptable.

N a v i g a t i o n L i g h

t s

Navigation lights must be displayed rom sunset to sunrise or in poor visibility.




Page - 25

Types o lights

It is crucial the lights on your vessel be placed and

displayed appropriate to the size and class o your

vessel. These lights tell other vessel operators

what your boat is doing – whether it is at anchor,

under sail or motoring. This guide will assist youin understanding the correct use o navigation

lights on your vessel.

Placement o lights

Side lights

The port (red) and starboard (green) lights shine

or 112.50 either side o the centre line (bow to

stern) o the vessel.

Masthead and Stern lights

The white masthead light shines orward in an arco 2250. The white stern light shines at and covers

an arc o 1350. The combination o these lights

creates a 3600 arc o white light. In a vessel o less

than 12 metres these two separate lights can be

combined into a single all round white light.

The masthead, stern and/or all round white light

must be ftted (i practical) on the centre line o

the vessel.

Range o visibility o lights

Vessels 12 metres to 20 metres

• Masthead light – 3 miles.

• Sidelight and stern light – 2 miles.

• All round lights – 2 miles.

Vessels under 12 metres

• Masthead light – 2 miles.

• Sidelight – 1 mile.

• Stern light – 2 miles.

• All round lights – 2 miles.

Lights required or power vessels underway

Vessels under 7 metres and less than 7 knots

Power vessels o less than 7 metres in length, with

a maximum speed o 7 knots or less shall exhibit

a visible all round white light and, i possible,

separate or combined sidelights.


Power vessels o less than 12 metres in length

shall exhibit:

i) separate or combined sidelights and an all

round white light; or

ii) separate or combined sidelights, a masthead

light and a stern light (see fgure iii, page 26).

Masthead or white all round light shall be carried

at least one metre above the sidelights.

N

avi g a t i

onL i gh t s

M a s t h

e a d o r S teaming Li g h t –

2 2 5 o

P o r t

S i d

e l i

g h

t – 1 1 2. 5

o S t a r b o a r d S

i d e

l i g h t –

1

1

2 . 5 o

S t e r n Li gh t – 1 3 5 o

Figure i

Figure ii




Page - 26

Vessels 12 metres to 20 metres

Power vessels o more than 12 metres in length

but less than 20 metres in length shall exhibit:

i) a masthead light, separate sidelights and

stern light; or

ii) a masthead light, combined sidelights and

stern light.

The masthead light shall be carried at least

2.5 metres above the gunwale. Combined

sidelights shall be carried at least one metre below

the masthead light.

Lights required or sailing vessels underway

Sailing vessels while underway (being motor

driven) shall exhibit navigation lights applicable

to power driven vessels.

Sailing vessels under 7 metres

Sailing vessels o less than 7 metres in length,

or vessels being rowed shall exhibit the lights

required or sailing vessels over 7 metres in length

(see fgure v, vi on page 27). I not, they shall have

ready or use an electric torch or lighted lantern

showing a white light which shall be exhibited in

su cient time to prevent a collision.


t s

Figure iii

Figure iv




Page - 27

Sailing vessels 7 metres to 20 metres

Sailing vessels o more than seven metres in length

and less than 20 metres in length shall exhibit:

i) Combined lantern, that is at or near the top

o the mast and incorporates sidelights and

stern light; or

ii) Separate sidelights and stern light.

(see fgure vi below)

Sailing vessels over 20 metres

Sailing vessels more than 20 metres in length shall

exhibit sidelights and stern light and may carry the

optional red and green all round lights.

However, these vessels may not carry a combined

lantern.

Optional lights

A sailing vessel o any length, which is ftted with

sidelights and a stern light (but not a combined

lantern) may, in addition, carry two all round lights

in a vertical line at or near the top o the mast. The

upper light shall be red and the lower green.

N

avi g a t i

onL i gh t s

Figure v

Figure vii

Figure vi




Page - 28

Power/sailing vessels at anchor


Vessels less than 50 metres in length at anchor,

shall exhibit an all round white light placed where

it may best be seen. Anchor lights must always be

shown rom sunset to sunrise. I you are at anchoror in a busy area, then show additional lights to

ensure you are seen and keep a good watch.

There are many other combinations o lights used

on vessels. The lights shown relate to the activity

the vessel is engaged in – activities such as fshing,

dredging, not under command.

A simple rule o thumb or a small power boat is to

stay clear o any vessels exhibiting additional lights.

For urther inormation contact the Department

on (08) 9216 8999.


t s

Port sidelight covering 112.5 degrees rom the center line.

Figure viii




Page - 29

IALA Buoyage

Navigation aids

An international system o buoys, beacons

and lights helps guide vessels clear o dangers

and indicates sae water. Navigation marks are

recognised by distinctive shapes and colours, andtheir lights by distinctive colours and rhythms.

All these marks are on the chart – when you have

any doubts what you are looking at always reer

to the chart.

Lateral marks

The marks indicating the port and starboard hand

sides o channels are called lateral marks. Those

topped by a red can shape are called port hand

marks, and those topped by a green triangle shapeare called starboard hand marks.

When entering harbours or travelling upstream in

a river, leave port hand marks on your port side and

starboard hand marks on your starboard side.

When leaving harbours or travelling downstream,

leave port hand marks on your starboard side and

starboard hand marks on your port side.

One way to remember this is the saying, “there’s

some red, port, let in the bottle” when travellingupstream.

Lateral marks are not always placed in pairs where

you simply have to pass between them. When you

see just one, you will need to bear in mind the

upstream-downstream principle.

Lights

When lit, port hand marks have red lights, starboard

hand marks have green lights. These are the only

marks to use these colours; the lights can use any

rhythm.

Port hand marks

Starboard hand marks

I AL A B

u o y a g e

Quick Flashing

Flashing

Long Flashing

Group Flashing

Quick FlashingFlashing

Long Flashing

Group Flashing




Page - 30

Isolated Danger marks

As the name suggests, it marks danger with

navigable water all around, too small to need

marking with a series o marks. In general, pass

as well clear o it as you can.

Light

I lit, it will have a white light, ashing in groups

o two. The memory jog is two ashes to match

the two-sphere topmark.

Sae Water marks

There is sae water all around this mark. Mostcommonly, it used to mark the seaward end o

channels into ports. They are sometimes used

to mark the centre o a channel; occasionally

they are used in a series down the middle o a

channel instead o lateral marks on the edges o

the channel.

LightI lit, it will have a white light, whose rhythm always

has a long period o light in the sequence.

Special marks

This is used or such things as tra c separation

schemes, or example at the entrance to Fremantle

Fishing Boat Harbour, spoil ground, aquaculture

areas, cables and pipelines, or to temporarily

replace a missing mark.

Special marks can have a can, cone or sphere as

the body i they are being used in the same sense

as lateral or sae water marks.

Light

I lit, a special mark will have a yellow light using

any pattern that will not conuse them with other

navigation marks.

I A L A B

u o y a g e

Isophase

Occulting

Long Flash 10s

Group Flashing (2)

Quick Flashing

Flashing

Long Flashing

Group Flashing




Page - 31

Cardinal marks

These are used where lateral marks would be

inappropriate or conusing. They indicate the

compass direction o the saest water, so having

a compass on board is very useul.

You should pass to the east o an East Cardinal

mark, to the south o a South Cardinal, to the

west o a West Cardinal and to the north o a North

Cardinal.

The lights, topmarks and colour schemes have a

logic to help you memorise them:

The cones on top point in the direction o the black

segment o the pillar:

• North – both cones top point up, black at the

top o the pillar.• East – the cones point up and down, black at

top and bottom.

• South – both cones point down, black at the

bottom.

• West – the cones point inwards, black in the

middle.

Lights (white)

The lights patterns almost ollow the clock ace:

3 o’clock = East Cardinal = 3 ashes6 o’clock = South Cardinal = 6 ashes + 1 long

9 o’clock = West Cardinal = 9 ashes

12 o’clock = North Cardinal = continuous

ashing.

The long extra ash or south, and the continuous

ash or north are to avoid conusion i you lose

track with your counting.

North Cardinal

East Cardinal

South Cardinal

West Cardinal

I AL A B

u o y a g e

Very Quick Flashing (9) 10s

Quick Flashing (9) 15s

Very Quick Flashing (6) + 1 Long Flash 10s

Quick Flashing (6) + 1 Long Flash 15s

Very Quick Flashing

Quick Flashing

Very Quick Flashing (3) 5s

Quick Flashing (3) 10s

E a s t

3 6 0 3 5 0

340 3 3 0 3 2 0

3 1 0

3 0 0

2 9 0

2 8 0

2 7 0

2 6 0

2 5 0

2 4 0

2 3 0

2 2 0

2 1 0

2 0 0

1 9 0

1 8 0

1 7 01 6 0 1 5 0

1 4 0

1 3 0

1 2 0

1 1 0

1 0 0

0 9 0

0 8 0

0 7 0

0 6 0

0 5 0

0 4 0

0 3 0

0 2 0

0 1 0

N o r t h

S o u t h

W e s t

W e

s t

C a

r d

i n a

l M a

r k

S o u

t h C a r d i n a l M a r k

E a s t C

a r

d i n

a l M

a r k

N o r t h C a r d i n a l M a r k

Danger

Area




Page - 32

Leads

Leads are a pair o marks that when aligned orm a

transit. They are oten used or the approaches to

anchorages (there are many at Rottnest) instead

o lateral marks. You steer to keep the rear lead

directly above the ront lead.

Lights

I lit, they may use any colour. The chart will have

the details.

Sectored lights

Sectored lights (Woodman Point is an example)

are navigation aids that indicate a sae channel

through shallow or dangerous waters.

Generally there are three lights o dierent colourseach identiying a sector o an arc. The white sector

will generally be the sae water and the red or green

sectors areas to avoid. It is particularly important

to check the chart or the light’s meaning, purpose

and to determine the extent o the sae passage.

To use the lights in the example below the vessel

is on the recommended course as long as it keeps

within the white sector o the light. I the light

colour shits to red or green an adjustment o

course is required to bring it back into the white

and back on track.

I A L A B

u o y a g e

Leads indicate the sae course to steer.

The below leads as represented on a chart.

Cockburn Sound has many sector lights to assist ships entering

the port.




Page - 33


Q1. You’re in charge o a motor boat with

right o way and an approaching motor

boat did not seem to be taking action to

prevent a collision, what would you do?

A. Speed up because you have a bigger engine and you can get past in timeto prevent a collision.

B. Exercise caution and take any necessary avoiding action.

C. Maintain your same course and speed because he is on your starboard side and he should giveway to you.

D. Let o an internationally recognised

distress signal.

Q2. What is implied by “maintaining a good

lookout”?

A. Looking ahead.

B. Looking orward and to each side.

C. Looking behind.

D. By sight, hearing and all availablemeans.

Q3. You are overtaking another vessel. What

action do you take?

A. Overtake on the starboard (right)side.

B. Overtake on the port (let) side.

C. Keep out o the way o the vessel youare overtaking.

D. No special action to be taken.

Q4. When traveling upstream in a narrow

channel or river, where should you

operate your vessel?

A. On the port (let hand) side.

B. On the starboard (right hand) side.

C. In the middle o the channel.

D. On either side when sae to do so.

Q5. What is the sound signal or “I am

operating astern propulsion”?

A. Three short blasts.

B. Two short blasts.C. One short blast.

D. One prolonged blast.

Q6. Which vessel must give way in the

situation pictured?

A. Vessel ‘A’ gives way to vessel ‘B’.

B. Vessel ‘B’ gives way to vessel ‘A’.

C. Neither – they should continue their course until one gives way.

Q7. What lights are required on a power-

driven vessel, less than 12 metres in

length, when underway at night or in

reduced visibility?

A. Sidelights and green masthead light.

B. Two all round white lights.

C. Red and green sidelights only.

D. Red and green sidelights and either an all round white light or amasthead light and stern light.

Q8. What kind o navigation mark is this?

A. Port Lateral mark.

B. Starboard Lateral mark.

C. Sae Water mark.

D. Isolated Danger mark.

Q9. A top has allen o a cardinal mark the

colours on the pole rom the top down

… Black – Yellow – Black? A It is a west cardinal.

B It is an east cardinal.

C It is a north cardinal.

D It is a south cardinal.

C ol l i s i o

nAv oi d

an c e– S

el f T e s t





Page - 34

Maintenance

Stability

I the owner o a commercial vessel wants to make

structural changes to the vessel they have to get

the Department’s permission, and permission is

dependent on what a naval architect has to sayabout it. One o the biggest reasons or needing

permission is the eect on the vessel’s stability the

changes might have.

You do not need permission to make changes to a

recreational vessel, but you and your passengers’

saety requires you to think them through careully.

Adding a ybridge (and the weight o people on

it) or a hardtop will raise the centre o gravity and

reduce stability. Fitting a bigger motor will change

the trim. Adding fttings might pierce a buoyancychamber.

Vessel maintenance

A well-maintained vessel is basic to saety at sea.

Poor motor maintenance alone is responsible or

thousands o calls or assistance each year.

This section covers maintenance techniques and

schedules that skippers should be aware o tokeep their vessels in a reliable and seaworthy

condition.

Engine service

Manuacturers usually recommend a service by a

specialised workshop at least once a year, even i

you use the motor very little. This ensures that vital

internal parts, like the water pump, get looked at.

I you work your motor hard, then you should have

the gearbox oil changed every three months.

Electrical system

Electrical systems on boats commonly ail through

corrosion.

• Keep all electrical systems clean and

corrosion ree by requent inspections.

• Spray terminals, electrical connectors, etc.

with a corrosion-retarding agent. Keep all

electrical fttings dry.

• Check the lights are working even i you

expect to be out only during daylight hours.

Batteries

One o the most common reasons or calling on

sea rescue is a at battery. Batteries deserve a lot

o attention at regular intervals.

• Use a genuine marine battery – your motor’s

handbook will tell you what capacity. Check

it and charge it regularly. I the battery does

not hold its charge, it should be tested or

replaced.

• Batteries should always be secured with

brackets within a ventilated container.

• I it is in an enclosed space, ensure it is

properly ventilated.

• Terminals and cables must be kept clean, and

terminals greased.

• Terminals and connections must be tight and

secure.

• Top up battery cells with distilled water and

check each cell with a hydrometer.

• Turn o the power to the charger beore

disconnecting the charging pads. This may

prevent an explosion.

M a i n t

e n a n c e

Check battery terminals or dir t and corrosion.

Overloading can seriously aect a vessel’s stability.




Page - 35

Spark plugs

With modern engines, spark plugs generally last

longer. I they ail, then cleaning them is not very

likely to bring them back to lie. Carry a spare set

o new plugs and a plug spanner.

Water pump

Outboard water pump impellers are normallychanged at the annual service. I you have been

operating in the shallows and stirring sand,

consider changing more oten.

Make sure water is being discharged rom the

exhaust system or telltale when started.

Regularly check or water leaks.

Gearbox oil

Bleed a little oil rom the drain screw in the gear

case – i water appears, or i the oil looks milky,take the motor to a service centre.

Fuel

Fuel is a key element in successul boating. Running

out o it, disabling the engine because o dirt or

excess moisture in it, or exposing it to fre risks

are all possibilities against which you should take

precautions.

Fire/explosion risks

Fuel, or engines or or stoves, is the most common

component o boat fres or explosions. Leaks in

systems and ventilation shortcomings are the

usual problems. Regularly inspect uel and gas

tanks, valves, pumps and lines or visual condition

– especially corrosion – and leaks. Get problems

fxed by an expert; temporary repairs can be

dangerous.

Do the sni test each time you board your vessel.

I you smell uel – fnd the problem.

Fuel system

Check and change flters requently to be assured

o clean uel entering your engine. Carry spare

flters.

Keep tanks topped-up and close them up when

not in use. This reduces the chance o condensation

occurring and putting water in your uel.

Use clean, resh uel

Clean out portable uel tanks at least yearly and

replace old uel ater a long period o inactivity;

water is likely to have built up in it.

I your motor uses pre-mix lubrication you should

not use petrol-oil mix older than three months. The

oil will lose lubrication properties and produce

sludge. For direct oil injection motors, ensure the

oil reservoirs are kept ull.

M ai n t en an c e

Check the telltale to be sure it is working.

Check flters requently and carry spares.

Carry a spare set o new plugs and a plug spanner.




Page - 36

Propellers

The rubber bushing o an outboard or sterndrive’s

propeller can ail, especially i it has hit sand or

rocks. Some older models use a shear pin instead

to protect the shat.

Carry a spare shear pin, i appropriate, and a spare

propeller – perhaps a second-hand one.

Keep shats and props clean and in good working

order. This includes removing the propeller,

hammering out any bends, and fling any jagged

bits smooth.

Snagged fshing line wrapping around the outboard

leg propeller shat can destroy the gearbox seals and

allow water in. Water in the gearbox will eventually

cause it to ail. Remove the propeller regularly tocheck or fshing line – or any time you think you

might have hit a line.

Routine maintenance

Beore each trip

• Test navigation lights.

• Check the bilges are clean and dry,

investigate the sources o leaks.

• Check that the bilge pump works.

• Check that the bungs are not worn and that

the washer is in good condition.

• Test steering gear or stiness.

Ater each trip

• As you winch the boat onto the trailer

inspect the wire, webbing or rope or wear.

• Flush the engine with resh water and wash

down its exterior.

Monthly

• Oil steering gear cable with the correct

lubricant, check hydraulic uid levels.

• Check reeing ports (deck drain aps) or

positive opening and closing action.

• Check condition o all saety equipment

(the detail o this is included in the saety

equipment section) beore securely storing

it.

• Inspect the boat or rubbish – it is especially

important to remove stray metal items rom

an aluminium boat.

• Check berthing lines and anchor rope or

wear.

• Check that all auxiliary systems (anchorwinch, windscreen wipers etc) are

unctioning.

Yearly

• Inspect through-hull fttings or corrosion

and water tightness; ensure sea cocks are

working and check the condition o hoses

and clamps attached to them.

• Check that important fttings (or example

cleats, engines bolts, guard and grab rails)

are still securely attached.

• Have the LP gas system serviced.

• Have any 240 volt system checked.

• Check aluminium hulls or corrosion and

atigue cracks, check fbreglass or blistering

and impact cracks.

• Check anodes or erosion, replace when

about 40 per cent eroded.

M a i n t

e n a n c e

Check anodes or erosion.

Check the propeller regularly or dents and damage and the shat

or snagged fshing line.




Page - 37


Q1. How oten should you have the motor

on your vessel serviced?

A. Beore each time you use the vessel.

B. Every our months.C. At least once a year.

D. Once every two years.

Q2. Beore you go on a boating trip you

should?

A Test navigation lights

B Check bilges are clean and dry

C Check steering

D All o the above

Q3. You should replace old uel ater a long

period o inactivity because?

A. Your vessel won’t reach top speed.

B. The oil will settle on the bottom o thetank.

C. The octane level will reduce withtime.

D. Water is likely to have built up in it.

Q4. Batteries in a vessel should be located?

A. In a ventilated container.

B. In a sealed container.

C. As low as possible in the bilge.

D. On deck, exposed to the elements.

Q5. I the spark plugs in your motor ails, the

best remedy is to?

A. Clean the contact using sand paper.

B. Clean the spark plugs with detergent.

C. Spray the spark plugs with a water repellent.

D. Replace them with new ones.

Q6. Putting people up high on a fy bridge

will change the stability o a vessel by?

A. Lowering the centre o gravity and increasing stability.

B. Raising the centre o gravity and lowering stability.

C. Making the vessel ride the wavesbetter in a ollowing sea.

D. Making the vessel easier to turn.

M ai

n t en an c

e– S el f

T e s t


Flush the motor and wash it down with resh water ater each trip.




Page - 38

Saety equipment

Wherever you operate your boat you will be

required to carry certain items o saety equipment.

The quantity and type o equipment varies

depending on how ar oshore you travel, and it is

important to understand that these are minimumrequirements.

Keep it maintained

All saety equipment must be maintained in very

good condition and be accessible at all times. To

maximise your chances o survival on the water,

you and your passengers need to know:

• where it is stowed;

• how to use it; and

• when to use it.

Know where it is stowed

As skipper, you must brie everyone on the boat

about where the equipment is kept. It should be

stowed where it is easily reached and preerably

visible.

Keep the ollowing points in mind every time you

load and stow your equipment aboard:

• lie jackets need to be accessible and ready

or use, not locked away in a cupboard or

under bunks;

• ares need to be kept dry and accessible (use

a waterproo container that will oat); and

• an EPIRB should be positioned in the cockpit

or near the helm where it can be reachedquickly in an emergency.

Know how to use it

Make sure everyone on board knows how to use

the saety equipment. Have everybody practise

putting on lie jackets in good conditions so they

are amiliar with how they eel and how they do

up.

Make sure you are amiliar with the instructions

or use o EPIRBs, ares and the fre fghting

equipment. You may not have time or a crashcourse in an emergency.

Know when to use it

‘In good time’ sums it up. Lie jackets take time

to put on, so do not hesitate to wear them in

deteriorating weather. Your radio lets you pass

on varying degrees o urgency to a sea rescue

group, so do not wait or ull-blooded distress

beore calling or help.

S a f e t y E

q u i p m e n t

EPIRB

88

LIFE JACKET

A liejacket bearing the Australian

standard AS 1512 or PFD Type 1

must be carried or every person on

board the vessel.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Every vessel with an inboard engine

or carrying hydrocarbon consuming

appliances, must carry an approvedtype fre extinguisher.

RED AND ORANGE FLARES

A minimum o two hand-held red

ares and two hand-held orange

smoke ares must be carried.Two parachute ares may be carried

in lieu o two red hand-held ares.

An orange smoke canister may be

carried in lieu o the smoke ares.

BILGE PUMP / BAILER

All vessels must carry a bilge pump.

A vessel under 7 metres may carry a

bailer in lieu o a bilge pump.

ANCHOR AND LINE

An ecient anchor and line must be

carried.

REQUIRED MARINE

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Protected

waters

lakes,

rivers,

inlets and

estuaries

Over 5

Nautical

miles

rom the

mainland

shore

0 - 2

Nautical

miles

rom the

mainland

shore

2 - 5

Nautical

miles

rom the

mainland

shore

PAR ACHUTE FLARES

A minimum o two parachute ares

must be carried i operating more

than 5 miles rom the mainland shore

or more than 1 mile rom an island

located more than 5 miles rom the

mainland shore.

MARINE RADIO

A marine radio must be carried i operating more than 5 miles rom the

mainland shore or more than 1 m ile

rom an island located more than 5

miles rom the mainland shore. The

radio can be 27 MHz, VHF or HF.

EPIRB

An EPIRB bearing the standard MS

241, AS/NZS 4330 or AS/NZS 4280

must be carried i proceeding more

than 2 miles rom the mainland shore

or more than 400 metres rom an

island located more than 2 miles rom

the mainland shore.

r




Page - 39

T h e r e q u i r e d s a f e t y e q u

i p m e n t f o r a r e a o f o p e r a t i o n

T h e M I N I M U M

q u a n t i t y

o s a e t y e q u i p m e n t

t h a t y o u a r e r e q u i r e d

t o c a r r y v a r i e s w i t h

t h e d i s t a n c e t

h a t y o u

o p e r a t e r o m

t h e s h o r e

.

B i l g e P u m p

A l l v e s s e l s m u s t c a r r y

a b i l g e p u m p

. A v e s s e l

u n d e r 7 m e t r e s m a y

c a r r y a b a i l e r i n l i e u o a

b i l g e p u m p

.

F i r e E x

t i n g u i s h e r

E v e r y v e s s

e l w i t h a n

i n b o a r d e n

g i n e o r

c a r r y i n g h

y d r o c a r b o n

c o n s u m i n g a p p l i a n c e s ,

m u s t c a r r y a n a p p r o v e d

f r e e x t i n g

u i s h e r .

A n c h o r

A n e c i e n t a n c h o r a n d

l i n e m u s t b e c a r r i e d

.

L i f e j a c k e t

A l i e j a

c k e t b e a r i n g t h e

A u s t r a l i a n S t a n d a r d A S

1 5 1 2 m

u s t b e c a r r i e d o r

e a c h p e r s o n o n b o a r d

.

F l a r e s

A m i n i m u m

o t w o

h a n d

- h e l d s m o k e a r e s

a n d t w o h a n d

- h e l d r e d

a r e s m u s t b e c a r r i e d

.

E P I R B

A n a p p r o v e d E P I R B m u s t

b e c a r r i e d

.

*

P a r a c h u t e F l a r e s

A m i n i m u m

o t w o

p a r a c h u t e a r e s m u s t

b e c a r r i e d

.

* *

* * *

M a r i n e R a d i o

A m a r i n e r a d i o m u s t b e

c a r r i e d

.

* *

P r o t e c t e d w a t e r s

l a k e s , r i v e r s , i

n l e t s a n d

e s t u a r i e s .

✔

✔

✘

✘

✘

✘

✘

✘

0 - 2

n a u t i c a l m

i l e s

r o m

t h e m a i n l a n d

s h o r e

.

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✘

✘

✘

2 - 5

n a u t i c a l m

i l e s

r o m


s h o r e

.

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

✘

✘

o v e r 5 n a u t i c a l m i l e s

r o m


s h o r e

.

✔

✔

✔

✔

✔

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S

af e t yE q ui pm en

t

*

R e q u i r e d i o p e r a t i n g m o r e t h a n t w o n a u t i c a l m i l e s r o m t

h e m a i n l a n d s h o r e o r m o r e t h a n 4 0 0 m e t r e s r o m a

n i s l a n

d l o c a t e d m o r e t h a n t w o n a u t i c a l m i l e s r o m t

h e m a i n l a n d s h o r e .

* *

R e q u i r e d i o p e r a t i n g m o r e t h a n f v e n a u t i c a l m i l e s r o m t

h e m a i n l a n d s h o r e o r m o r e t h a n o n e n a u t i c a l m i l e r o m a n

i s l a n d l o c a t e d m o r e t h a n f v e n a u t i c a l m i l e s r o m t

h e m

a i n l a n d s h o r e .

* * *

I y o u

a r e o p e r a t i n g b e y o n d 5 n a u t i c a l m i l e s r o m t

h e m a i n l a n d s h o r e o r m o r e t h a n o n e n a u t i c a l m i l e r o m a

n i s l a n d

l o c a t e d m o r e t h a n 5 n a u t i c a l m i l e s r o m t

h e m a i n l a n d

s h o r e y o u o n l y n e e d t o c a r r y t h e o s h o r e s e t o a r e s i e t w o p a r a c h u t e a r e s a n d

t w o h a n d h e l d o r a n g e s m o k e a r e s .




Page - 40

Bailer / Bilge pump

Who must carry bilge pumps or bailing

equipment?

All vessels must carry some orm o bilge pump

or bailing equipment.

Bailers

Vessels under seven metres may have a bailer

instead o a pump.

Depending on the size o the vessel, a strong

bucket with two metres o rope attached makes

an excellent addition to your gear list. As a saety

item, it is useul both or bailing water out and

fghting fres.

Bilge pumps

Bilge pumps are required or boats seven metres

and over, may be manual or power operation,

and must be capable o pumping our kilolitres

per hour. I you ft an electric bilge pump with anautomatic switch it must have an indicator to show

when the pump is working. Check its operation

regularly, and keep it well maintained.

The bilge pump should be protected by a strainer

to prevent choking o the pump suction. Clean

bilges reduce the possibility o blocked pumps.

B i l g e

P u m p s

A bailer or bilge pump is required on all vessels except Personal Water Crat.




Page - 41

F i r e E x t i

n g u i s h e

r s

Fire extinguishers should be mounted securely and in an

accessible location.

Check the gauge on extinguishers regularly to ensure it’s

serviceable.

Fire extinguishers

Who must carry a fre extinguisher?

I your vessel is ftted with an inboard engine

(personal water crat are exempt) or with cooking,

heating or cooling systems that use ames, you

must carry an approved fre extinguisher.

You make your own choice o extinguisher

(provided it is made to Australian Standards) rom

oam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide or vaporising

liquid. The table shows the capabilities o the

dierent types.

Most trailer boats carry a dry chemical extinguisher,

which is a good ‘all-rounder’ and also the most

popular with larger vessels. Some boats with

enclosed engine rooms also have a built-in

smothering gas or water mist system.

Although a water extinguisher is not acceptable

as your sole extinguisher, your bailer will do a fne

job in its stead or extinguishing burning solids.

Inspections

Fire extinguishers should be inspected at least

every six months. All extinguishers other than

carbon dioxide have a pressure gauge indicating

their state o charge, and a security seal on thetrigger. They should be recharged i the seal is

broken or the gauge is not in the green sector o

the scale. Tap the gauge lightly to make sure that

the needle is not stuck.

Mud wasps and other creatures have oten been

known to clog up the nozzle o fre extinguishers.

Check and clean out i necessary.

The dry chemical extinguisher should be taken

o its bracket and shaken. This is to prevent the

powder inside rom compacting. A carbon dioxide

extinguisher needs to be checked by weight. I the

loss is more than 10 per cent o the net weight o

the contents, it needs to be recharged.

Serviceable condition

Fire extinguishers must be maintained in a

serviceable condition, check that the marker in the

gauge is in the green position. I the marker is in

the red it is not in a good operational condition.




Page - 42

Anchors

Anchors – who must carry one?

I you are operating in unprotected waters (outside

the waters contained by any breakwater or in

any lake, river or estuary other than the waters o

Cambridge Gul or Lake Argyle) you must carryan e cient anchor and line. The anchor must be

o a type that will hold in all sea beds and with

enough line to suit the depths in which you usually

operate.

Choosing an anchor

Provided it is a type that will hold in all seabeds,

the choice o anchor is up to you. Most people

choose one o the ollowing high holding power

designs:

Danorth

This is the most common type or trailer boats

that do not stow the anchor below a bowsprit.

It has excellent holding power in most bottoms,

especially sand and is modest in price.

Plough or CQR

This is more expensive than the Danorth because

o its more complex construction. Its holding

power is similar, but it has a better reputation orholding in mud. Also, it is better suited or sel-

stowing under a bowsprit.

Bruce or spade

This is the best o all or bowsprit stowage and is

gaining in popularity. However or small boats,

where the anchor is stowed within the vessel, it

is very cumbersome.

Standard stockless – Admiralty pattern

The sailors’ cap badge anchor looks old ashioned,

but it is the best at piercing weed beds and its

also works well in mud. Weight or weight it is

one o the best all round anchors, but it can be

inconvenient to stow.

Ree or grapnel

Eectively a bundle o mild steel rods bent to make

a grapnel, the ree anchor is too specialised to be

acceptable as a boat’s sole anchor. For anchoring on

a rocky bottom, though, it is a useul extra. Unlike

a normal anchor, which can be near impossible to

retrieve rom rock, this will straighten out under a

heavy load and withdraw.

A n c

h o r s




Page - 43

Anchor cables

An anchor cable may be all chain, or rope with a

piece o chain joining it to the anchor. The chain is

necessary or its weight, it allows a more horizontal

pull on the anchor and acts as a shock absorber.

It also reduces chae o the rope.

The best anchor rope is nylon because it has a

lot o stretch and great strength; next best is

polyethylene silver line. I the rope is nylon, you

will need at least two metres o chain; other rope

will need at least three metres.

Your anchor and cable should always be ready to

run reely at a moment’s notice.

Weather

Check both the existing and orecast weatherbeore anchoring. This could inuence whether

you will use more cable, or even decide to move

elsewhere. Strengthening winds blowing on

shore (technically giving you a lee shore) should

especially inuence your decisions.

Selecting a site

• I you have a choice o bottom in which

to anchor (in other words it is not an

emergency), sand is ideal, frm mud next

best. It is better not to anchor on a weed bed

both or environmental reasons, and because

most anchors fnd it di cult to grip.

• Check that when have let your cable out you

will have enough room to swing to wind

or tide without hitting the bottom or other

vessels.

• I you are in a tidal area, ensure that you will

have enough depth at low water.

Preparing to anchor

Having picked the spot to anchor and determined

that you have enough cable, at low speed turn

your boat to ace the wind (on a low wind day

ace the current, i any). Put the motor in neutral,

then in reverse or long enough to get the boatmoving astern.

Lowering

Lower the anchor (do not throw it) to the bottom,

and pay out cable as the boat moves astern with

the wind.

Setting

When the ull scope is out, secure the cable and

give the engine a short burst in reverse to ensure

that the anchor has bedded in.

The scope

The critical element o anchoring is to have enough

cable out – enough scope is the jargon. The scope

is the ratio o the length o cable used or the depth

o water. The absolute minimum is three times

the depth o water, and fve or seven is better.

Strong current or wind or a choppy sea put more

load on the cable and make a bigger scope more

desirable.

Recommended scopeCondition Scope

Calm – air 3:1

Fair – moderate 5:1

Moderate – rough 7:1

Scope3:1

Anchor Chainat least

3 metres

Sandy Seabed

Anchor

Bow

Roller

BitterEnd

WIND

An c

h or s

The length o the anchor line is dependent on the depth o the water and the prevailing conditions.






Page - 45

Rules and regulations

Channels and leads

Anchoring is prohibited in any channel, airway,

passage or leading lines unless you are in distress

or obtain the permission o the Department.

Submarine cables

Anchoring is prohibited in the vicinity o telephone,

submarine and power cables laid on the seabed.

These anchoring prohibited areas are marked on

marine charts and must be complied with.

Mooring areas

Anchoring is not recommended in mooring areas.

You could oul your anchor on the moorings and,

because the spacing o moorings is usually only

a little more than needed or the vessels on themto swing clear o each other, you would be likely

to hit other boats.

Ports

Ports have individual rules or small crat using

their waters. The overwhelming intent is to avoid

any conict with large commercial vessels, so

ensure that you do not anchor anywhere near

where these vessels pass.

An c

h or s

Anchoring is not recommended in mooring areas. You could oul your anchor on the moorings.






Page - 47

Choosing a lie jacket

Size and weight

Inants: because o the varying weight distribution

o babies it is di cult to put otation in the right

places; children less than about a year old cannot

be adequately catered or and should not goaoat.

For older children, there are three main things to

look or:

• the weight range on the lie jacket’s label

agrees with the child’s weight;

• the lie jacket is a snug ft (loose lie jackets

work poorly); and

• the child is comortable while wearing it.

For adults, too, a snug ft is important.

As or comort:

• generally the less money you pay, the more

uncomortable the lie jacket.

Maintaining lie jackets

You should check the condition o your lie jackets

periodically. Check or cuts and tears that could

let water enter the jacket and rot the buoyant

material. Check that the tabs are in good condition

and not rayed.

I you have inatable lie jackets, the manuacturer

will speciy intervals when you should return them

or servicing.

L i f e J a c k e t s

The tabs are in a poor condition and need replacing.

Jackets need to ft properly. This jacket is ar too big or the child.




Page - 48

Distress fares

Flares – who must carry them?

All vessels operating outside protected waters

must carry ares. Which type you need depends

on how ar oshore you go.

For inshore waters (within fve nautical miles o

the shore), you will need:

• two hand-held red ares or two parachute

ares; and

• two hand-held orange smoke ares or one

orange smoke canister.

For oshore waters (more than fve nautical miles

o the shore), you will need:

• two parachute ares; and

• two hand-held orange smoke ares or one

orange smoke canister.

I you operate both inshore and oshore you only

need to carry the oshore set o ares.

AS/NZ Standard

There are three main types o distress ares

approved or use in Western Australia. All o them

must be manuactured to either the Australian

Uniorm Shipping Laws Code or to AustralianStandard AS2092.

Red hand-held ares

These are designed or use both night and day

and burn or about 45 seconds at 15,000 candle

power. Potential sighting range at night is

10-12 km and about 4-6 km during the day.

Orange hand-held smoke ares These are designed or day use only and have no

luminosity. They emit a cloud o orange smoke.

Orange hand held ares burn or about 60 seconds.

The buoyant canister, which is sae or use in petrol

or oil covered water, burns or about three minutes.

Potential sighting range by day is 4 km, although

this can drop to less than 1 km in a resh breeze.

However, these ares are especially visible rom

aircrat, even on windy days.

D i s t r e s s F l a r e s

Inshore are kit.

Oshore are kit.

Red hand-held are.

Orange hand-held are.




Page - 49

Red parachute distress rockets

These are designed or use both night and day.

They project a rocket to 300 metres high and then

deploy a parachute-suspended red are, which

burns or about 40 seconds at 30,000 candle

power. Potential sighting range is 15 km by dayand 40 km at night.

Know how to use them

Flares are best used when you believe there is

chance o it being seen.

The means used to fre ares vary widely between

are types and between manuacturers. The fring

instructions are always printed on the are, and you

should be amiliar with your own ares’ methods.

Hand-held red ares, especially, burn very hot

and may spill glowing embers. When using themhold them downwind so that nothing spills into

the boat, and tilt them in your hand so nothing

burns you.

Handling and storage

Flares should always be readily accessible, stored

in a waterproo container, in a place where they

don’t receive too much pounding in rough

conditions, away rom dampness and heat sources

and readily accessible. Avoid storage above 60degrees Celsius.

Expiry dates

There will be an expiry date on your ares. This

applies to ares used on commercial vessels, but

it also gives you good advice. Consider getting

more ares when your existing ares reach that

date, but keep both old and new.

Your ares must be maintained in serviceable

condition at all times, check them regularly to

ensure they have not been rendered un-serviceable

by exposure to moisture. Mildew, or bubbling o

paper coatings may indicate this.

Unauthorised use o ares

There are severe penalties or the improper use o

ares. Flares have a very serious purpose.

Falsely indicating distress rightly carries a severepenalty, but it also wastes a lot o time and

resources – possibly weakening the ability to

respond to a genuine emergency.

Do not leave ares in your boat when it is not in

use, and keep them away rom children.

Disposal

Do not discard un-serviceable fares in general

rubbish collections or land fill.

Please hand them in to the Department of

Transport. www.transport.wa.gov.au/disposal

Di s t r e s

s F l ar e s

Red parachute distress rocket.

Flares should always be readily accessible and stored in a

waterproo container.

http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/disposal






Page - 50

Who must carry an EPIRB?

All recreational vessels operating more than two

nautical miles rom the mainland shore or more

than 400 metres rom an island located more than

two nautical miles rom shore are required by lawto carry an EPIRB.

You are not required to carry an EPIRB i you are

operating within the “Metropolitan EPIRB Exempt

Area” as indicated by the map below.

What do EPIRBs do?

The EPIRB transmits a signal to a amily o dedicated

satellites or re-transmitting to ground stations or

alerting search and rescue authorities.

Types o EPIRBs

The current types o EPIRBs are the analogue

121.5/243 MHz and digital 406 MHz. Both are

eective, but the 406 MHz has signifcant

advantage.

Important note: As of February 2009, the 121.5/243

MHz EPIRB will cease to be monitored - the system

will be shut down. Owners o 121.5/243 MHz EPIRBs

need to ensure that they replace them with a

marine approved 406 MHz EPIRB beore then.

Time: the signal rom a 406 MHz reaches the

ground station oten within minutes compared

with up to fve hours with the 121.5/243 MHz.

Accuracy: 5 km is the typical accuracy o a 406MHz compared to 20 km or a 121.5/243 MHz.

Registration: 406mHz EPIRBs must be registered

through the Australian Maritime Saety Authority

(AMSA). The recorded vessel details aid the

rescue and also minimise alse alarms – which

are extremely common with 121.5/243 MHz. 406

MHz EPIRB registration can be completed online

at the AMSA website: www.amsa.gov.au/beacons.

AS/NZ Standard (Marine Standard)

Only EPIRBs that display the ollowing AS/NZstandards are approved or marine use:

• 121.5 MHz (MS 241 or AS/NZS 4330:1995)

(will not be monitored ater Feb 2009); and

• 406 MHz (AS/NZS 4280:1995).

Expiry dates, batteries and servicing

EPIRBs have expiry dates. To be an acceptable

saety item, your unit must be serviced by the

manuacturer/agent beore that date. The service

will include replacement o the battery. The

manuacturer/agent will provide a new expiry

date once the unit has been serviced.

When to activate a distress beacon

Distress beacons are or use only in lie-threatening

situations. In the event o an emergency, you

should frst try to signal other people in your area

using radios, ares or other methods o attracting

attention.

E P I R B S

Metropolitan EPIRB exempt zone.

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs)




Page - 51

I activated by accident

I an EPIRB is activated by accident, the most

important thing is to turn it o and let AMSA know

as soon as you can on Freecall 1800 641 792, or

via the nearest marine radio station. You will not

be subject to any penalty.

Storage

Store EPIRBs in an accessible place where they can

be retrieved easily, but away rom areas where they

might be knocked or accidentally activated.

Important points about EPIRBs

Ensure the EPIRB container is not cracked or

showing signs o damage and that the batteries

are within the expiry date.

Use the test switch at least once a month to veriypower/operation.

Keep it accessible, and ensure that it cannot be

accidentally activated by movement.

Unauthorised use o EPIRBs

EPIRBs have a very serious purpose. Falsely

indicating distress rightly carries a severe penalty,

but it also wastes a lot o time and resources

– possibly weakening the ability to respond to

a genuine emergency. When you are not using

your boat, removing your equipment and givingit secure storage will help prevent unauthorised

use.

Visit our website www.dpi.wa.gov.au/epirbs or more

inormation.

E P I

R B S

Many EPIRBS are available. The three on the let are the 406 MHz variety and the two on the right are the 121.5 MHz variety.

121.5 MHz EPIRB’s need to be replaced beore February 2009.




Page - 52

Radios

Radios – who must carry one?

You must carry a marine band two-way radio i you

go more than fve nautical miles rom the mainland

shore. The choice o radio is up to you.

Types o marine radios

There are three types o marine radios:

27 MHz

These are cheap, easy to operate transceivers

and are common in small boats. Their range is

essentially line-o-sight and they are prone to

intererence noise. These radios are good or boat-

to-boat communications and are monitored, at

least during daylight hours, by most volunteer

marine rescue groups. The emergency and callup channel is channel 88. Leave the radio on this

channel to monitor any emergency tra c and

respond to calls. Establish communications on

channel 88, and then switch to another channel

to have your conversation. Channel 86 is a

supplementary distress requency.

Sea rescue groups monitor the distress requencies

and their own working requency.

Most 27 MHz radios have a dual watch capability

where channel 88 and another channel can bemonitored at the same time.

VHF

These radios are a little more expensive but

also easy to operate. Their range is line-o-sight

(extended by high aerials and repeater stations)

with a very high quality signal. The emergencyand call up channel is channel 16. Leave the

radio on this channel to monitor any emergency

tra c and respond to any calls. Establish

communications on channel 16, then switch

to another channel to have your conversation.

Channel 67 is a supplementary distress channel.

Rescue groups monitor the distress channel and

their own working channel.

VHF radios have a dual watch capability where

channel 16 and another channel can be monitoredat the same time.

MF/HF

These radios have a much greater communication

range (thousands o nautical miles) or vessels

travelling long distances rom shore. They are

much more expensive and more di cult to

operate. Reception is not always reliable and can

be o low quality.

A 24 hour, seven-days-a-week service operated

rom the Water Police Coordination Centre in North

Fremantle monitors the 4125, 6215 and 8291 kHz

distress and calling requencies. This HF service

covers WA coastal waters within 200 nautical miles

o the shore rom two new transceiver sites, one

at Canning Mills in Perth (call sign COAST RADIO

PERTH) and the other at Port Hedland (call sign

COAST RADIO HEDLAND). The Water Police also

broadcasts relevant Western Australian navigationwarnings rom Perth and Port Hedland on

8176 kHz.

R a

d i o s

An operator licence is required to operate a VHF marine radio .

27 MHz radios and operators do not require a licence.






Page - 54

Distress call

The distress call Mayday may be used only i the

boat is threatened by grave and imminent danger

– or example, sinking or on fre – and immediate

assistance is required. This distress call has absolute

priority over all other transmissions and may betransmitted only on the authority o the skipper

or the person responsible or the saety o your

vessel.

A Mayday call on one o the distress requencies

will attract the attention o land stations and

other vessels in your area. Stay calm, explain the

problem and give position and distress inormation

clearly.

Distress or urgency

When transmitting a distress or urgency message,

stay on VHF channel 16 or 27.88mHz and do not

change unless directed to by the local marine radio

station – the rescuing vessel will communicate

with you on that channel.

• Speciy the nature o assistance you need.

• Follow directions o rescuers.

• Follow any instructions Sea Rescue or the

rescuing vessel give you.

• Notiy Sea Rescue i the situation changes or

the danger has passed.

Silence periods

To increase the chances o a weak distress

transmission being received, three-minute periods

o radio silence are observed on the hour and hal

hour on distress channels.

With the exception o distress tra c, all transmissions

must cease during silence periods.

Mayday

Mayday procedure:

• “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”

• “This is [vessel name and/or call sign i you

have one]” (spoken three times)

• “Mayday [vessel name and/or call sign i you

have one]”

• “My position is ... [Details o the ship’s

position]”

• “My vessel is ... [Nature o distress and

assistance required is identifed]”

• “I have ... [Other inormation including

number o persons on board]”

This call can be repeated as oten as necessaryuntil answered. I no answer is received on distress

requencies, repeat the call on any requency

which might attract attention.

Mayday relay

I you hear a distress (Mayday) call and a coast

station does not answer, render assistance where

reasonable or attempt to relay the message.

R a

d i o s

Radios provide a vital link in an emergency situation.

Mayday should be used only i the vessel is in grave and

imminent danger.




Page - 55

Pan Pan urgency call

The urgency call should be used when the distress

call cannot be justifed but there is an urgent

message to transmit concerning the saety o

the vessel or the saety o a person (or example,

mechanical breakdown, medical emergency or aman overboard).

Pan Pan procedure:

• “Pan Pan, Pan Pan, Pan Pan”

• “Hello all stations, Hello all stations, Hello all

stations”

• “This is [vessel name and/or call sign i you


• “My position is ... [Details o the vessel’s

position]”

• “I require... [Details o assistance required and

other inormation]”

Urgency calls can be made on a distress requency or

any other requency which may attract attention.

Saety Call – Securite (Saycure-e-tay)

The saety call could be made rom a vessel or

such messages as a warning o a partly submerged

object. However, a saety call is more likely to

be made by a coast station or sea rescue group

and may include important strong weatherwarnings.

Saety call procedure:

• “Saycure-e-tay, Saycure-e-tay, Saycure-e-tay”

• “Hello all stations, Hello all stations, Hello all

stations”

• “This is .... [vessel name and/or call sign i you


• “A hazard exists ..... [Details o the warning or

announcement]”

Saety calls can be announced on a distress

requency like VHF 16. However, change to

channel 67 or an appropriate working requency

to broadcast the actual saety message.

Routine call

When making a routine call to another vessel or

coast station, state clearly:

• “Hello ... [The boat/group you are calling]”

(spoken three times)

• “This is ... [vessel name and/or call sign i you

have one] “(spoken three times)

• “Message..., [your message], Over”

• Await response.

The aim is to get the message through clearly,

precisely and quickly.

R a d i o s

Pan Pan should be used or an urgency call.




Page - 56

Radio problem checklist

Equipment:

• Is the correct requency/channel selected?

• Is the volume (AF gain) adjusted correctly?

• Is the squelch adjusted correctly?

• Is the RF gain set to maximum sensitivity?

• Power supply – is the battery ully charged?

• Antenna – are the leads and whip intact,

not corroded, have proper earthing and

connections in good order?

Procedure:

• Time – is the other station keeping a

listening watch?

• Is a silence period in orce?

• HF – is the set tuned to the right requencyor the ship’s position and time o day?

• Sched times – is the other station busy with a

routine broadcast?

I these checks have been completed and there

is still no response, another channel or requency

should be tried. Delays may arise because shore

station operators are busy on other circuits or

handling emergency communications. In allcircumstances, listen beore transmitting.

Unauthorised use o radios

Marine radios have a very serious purpose. Falsely

indicating distress rightly carries a severe penalty,

but it also wastes a lot o time and resources

– possibly weakening the ability to respond to

a genuine emergency. When you are not using

your boat, removing your equipment and giving

it secure storage will help prevent unauthorised

use.

R a

d i o s

REMEMBER TO

WHEN YOU RETURN

LOG OFF!

VHF Ch 16 Calling & emergency

27MHz 27.86 Alternate emergency

27.88 Calling & emergency

27.90 VSSR groups

27.91 Other clubs

27.94 Club events27.96 Boat to boat

Department for Planning and InfrastructureGovernment of Western Australia

Always remember to log o when you return.




Page - 57


Q1. Where should saety equipment, such

as fares and lie jackets be stowed in a

vessel?

A. In readily accessible positions protected rom the sea and weather.

B. In locked compartments.

C. Away rom passengers who might accidentally damage them.

D. No particular place as long as they are onboard the vessel.

Q2. What items o saety equipment MUST

be carried on a vessel operating in

unprotected waters, more than ve

nautical miles rom the coast, outside o the Perth metropolitan area?

A. Personal Flotation Device and bailer/ bilge pump.

B. Personal Flotation Device, bailer/ bilge pump and anchor.

C. Personal Flotation Device, bailer/ bilge pump, anchor and ares.

D. Personal Flotation Device, bailer/ bilge pump, anchor, ares and EPIRBand radio.

Q3. Fire extinguishers must be carried on:

A. All vessels.

B. Vessels that have an inboard motor.

C. Speed boats.

D. Vessels that have an outboard motor.

Q4. When anchoring a vessel, you should

consider:

A. The length o anchor line.B. The proximity o other vessels.

C. Any drit.

D. All o the above.

Q5. How many Personal Flotation Devices

(PFD) must be carried onboard a vessel

in the ocean unprotected waters?

A. One or each person.

B. Four.

C. Six.

D. At least one.

Q6. Other than using your radio in a distress

situation, what is the most eective way

o attracting attention at night?

A. Waving arms up and down.B. Letting o an orange smoke are.

C. Letting o a red hand-held are.

D. All o the above.

Q7. When should you activate your EPIRB?

A. When the motor has cut out and it won’t restart.

B. Only where human lie is in grave and imminent danger, and only ater all

other means o indicating distresssuch as ares and radio have beenused.

C. Beore using ares and radio toindicate distress.

D. All o the above.

Q8. When must an approved marine band

radio be carried?

A. On all vessels on all waters.

B. On all vessels over fve metres.

C. On all vessels proceeding more thanfve nautical miles rom the coastline.

D. On all vessels in isolated areas.

Q9. What do the words “PAN PAN” indicate

when said at the start o a radio

message?

A. A very urgent message ollowsconcerning the saety o a vessel or

person.B. A vessel is in grave and imminent

danger.

C. A navigational warning is about tobe announced.

D. All o the above.

S af e t y

E q ui pm

en t – S el f T e s t





Page - 58

Trip planning

Plan or even the smallest trip – the saety and the

success o any boating trip depends as much on

what you do beore you leave as on what you do

once you are at sea.

Planning starts with confdence in yoursel, and

in a seaworthy vessel.

At the end o this section, skippers should know

how to reduce incidents at sea through the

application o a trip plan.

Seaworthy vessel and skipper

A seaworthy vessel is in good condition, suitable

and properly equipped or the planned trip,

and skippered by a person who accepts the

responsibility that goes with the job.

Responsibility

• Are you confdent o your abilities

as a skipper, and do you realise your

responsibilities?

• I you have passengers with you, are you

undertaking a trip you have done beore?

• Is the trip appropriate to the ages o your

passengers?

• Check the weather and tides. I in doubt

don’t go.

• Study a chart o the waters you intend

cruising.

• Tell someone where you plan to go and

when you intend to return. I your plans

change, let them know.

• Check that all your saety gear and extras are

on board, in good shape and in reach.• Check that you have more than enough uel.

Suitability

Some boats should never go outside the inshore

rees – their size, hull shape and general design

do not suit them to the exposed ocean. Seek the

advice o experienced people on the capabilities

o your vessel.

Loading

Determine that your boat is not overloaded. Even a

boat that is not overloaded may be uncomortably

crowded, and that will make your passengers

uncomortable.

Seasickness and sunburn

Is your boat is suitable or the trip, and is the tripsuitable or the passengers? Children may ret on

a long trip, frst timers may be nervous going ar

oshore. Are there any special medical problems?

Do they have their medication with them? Are they

prone to seasickness? I there is an injury on board,

do you have a frst aid kit and the skills to use it?

You should ensure that everybody has protection

rom the sun: adequate clothing, and both hats

and sun block – reected sunlight gets below hat

brims.

T r i p P

l a n n i n g

The skipper is responsible or the passengers’ saety.

Overloading can seriously aect the vessel’s stability.

Don’t orget to Slip, Slop, Slap.




Page - 59

Motor check

The maintenance section o this workbook explains

the typical service and checks your motor will

need. Beore each trip, a good idea or outboard

motors – particularly older ones – is to attach a

ushing device and test start the motor (beoreleaving home).

Fuel or the trip

You can work out your likely uel consumption

rom your vessel’s history. Record the hours the

motor runs or on a trip and the litres needed to

top up the tank; divide the hours run into the

litres use and this gives you a litres per hour (lph)

consumption rate. To calculate the minimum litres

needed or a trip; multiply the litres per hour by

the estimated duration o the voyage.

For example:

I you travel or 2 hours and require 10 litres to top

up the tank (10lt divided by 2hr = 5lph) your uel

consumption is 5 litres per hour.

I you intend to travel on a 4 hour voyage and use

5lph (5lph multiplied by 4hr = 20lt) you will require20lt or the voyage.

Reserve uel required

Fuel consumption varies greatly, especially with

a change in the sea conditions. Aim to carry

50 per cent more uel than you expect to use or

your planned length and distance o trip. I this

means you have to carry spare uel in a portable

container, use an approved one and make sure

you have a means o transerring the uel, such

as a unnel.T r i pP l

anni n g

Never leave the reuelling nozzle unattended.




Page - 60

Weather

You go boating or pleasure, and there is not much

pleasure in doing it in bad weather. You need to

be able to cope with unexpected changes in the

weather, but even more importantly you need to

know the range o conditions you and your vesselare happy with, and the conditions that will keep

you at home. Learn how to read the weather map.

By ollowing it daily you get the eel or trends in

the weather and can use it or planning ahead.

Current orecast

Beore actually starting the trip, get the most up

to date orecast available.

Read the orecast and warning inormation

pamphlet Marine Weather Services published by

the Bureau o Meteorology.

Sources o weather inormation

Internet

A ull range o weather inormation is available

on the Bureau o Meteorology’s website:

www.bom.gov.au

Public broadcast radio/television

The Bureau o Meteorology sends coastal waters

orecasts and warnings to the ABC and commercial

networks (both city and country). The stationsusually announce the time the Bureau issued the

orecast: this is important – older orecasts are

less valuable.

Marine radio

Weather and navigation warnings covering the

Perth metropolitan waters (within 20 nautical

miles) are broadcast on VHF Channels 16 and 67

at 0718 and 1918 hours western standard time by

the WA Water Police.

Volunteer sea search and rescue groups operate

within normal recreational boating hours. They

provide weather inormation on VHF channels

16 and 67 and/or on 27.88 MHz. The Bureau o

Meteorology provides a limited VHF weather

service or some parts o regional WA. For details

visit: www.bom.gov.au/marine/images/wa.pd

Recorded telephone services

The Bureau o Meteorology has recorded services

via Weathercall or coastal waters orecasts and

warnings.

Services include:

Full State Service

1900 955 366

Perth Metropolitan Service

1900 926 149

Perth Local Waters Service

1900 955 350

WA Marine Service

1900 926 150

Northern WA Coastal Waters Service

1900 969 901

Western WA Coastal Waters Service

1900 969 902

Southern WA Coastal Waters Service

1900 969 903

WA General Warnings Service

1900 955 371

WA Tropical Cyclone Inormation1300 659 210

WA Coastal Marine Warnings

1300 659 223

Weather by ax

The Bureau o Meteorology Weather by Fax

provides orecasts, observations and warnings

including weather charts (updated three hourly),

satellite photos (updated hourly), weather radar

reports, the latest warnings, routine coastal waters

orecasts and the latest actual reports.

Set your ax machine in poll receive mode and dial

1902 935 200 or the main directory.

Publications

The Bureau also produces useul pamphlets

and booklets including Marine Weather Services,

Tropical Cyclones and Wind, Waves and Weather

for Perth Waters. These are available online at

www.bom.gov.au/ino/publications.shtml

W e a t h e r






Page - 62

Wind strength and direction

You are interested in wind speed and direction

mainly because o the waves the wind will build.

Wave height depends on wind speed, length o

time the wind blows (duration) and how ar over

the water it blows (etch). Wind o the land willproduce smaller waves inshore because o the

limited etch; they will also be steep and close

together – a eature o short etch. I you operate in

the shelter o islands you will also get smaller waves

than the orecast, which assumes no shelter.

Sea and land breezes

Local winds such as sea breezes blow or only a

ew hours over waters close to shore, so the waves

they cause are lower than the large scale winds.

However, i the sea breeze blows rom a similardirection to the existing wind, it will join orces

and build bigger waves.

Sea (wind waves)

The waves caused by the wind currently blowing

(the wind you can eel) are called ‘sea’. A 15 knot

wind (not a sea breeze) will typically produce sea

about 1.5 metres high. That is the average height;

you can get the occasional wave twice that high.

Swell

Swell is the waves caused by winds rom ar away.

Swell travels aster than sea and crests are wider

spaced. They usually look lower than they are.

They can combine with sea they overtake to make

a larger wave.

Swell is the waves that make breakers. The bigger

the swell, the deeper the water in which they break.

As a guide, the typical swell height on the west coast

in summer is about 1.5 metres, which is classed as

‘low swell’.

W e a t h e r

Be sure to check your mooring equipment beore the approach o a storm.




Page - 63

Sea breezes

Sea breezes are a near shore event caused by the

heating o land during the day. Their strength will

be partly dependent on the existing (synoptic)

wind. On the west coast sea breezes come rom the

south west, so they will be opposed and weakenedby a synoptic north easterly. The urther towards

south the synoptic wind, the more it will assist and

strengthen the sea breeze.

Observing the weather

Forecasts tell you the expected weather – keeping

your own eye on approaching weather can confrm

the orecast or can tell you that something

unexpected is about to happen. Or that local

conditions look like being worse than predicted.

Keep your senses open to:

• drops in temperature;

• a rising swell;

• solid cloud appearing;

• barometer alling; or

• wind changing.

In act almost any change can mean deteriorating

weather approaching.

Coping with weather

Have an alternative trip planned or the day in

case the weather is unriendly. You may choose

to operate inside the rees or islands instead o

outside.

Use your radio to keep up-to-date on orecasts,

the weather can change quickly.

Trim your boat, by moving passengers or using

power trim, to suit the direction o the sea. With a

planing boat, generally you trim the bow down a

little or a head sea, and trim it up or a ollowingsea.

A lowering o speed or a small change in course

can make a big dierence to the sotness o ride.

I conditions deteriorate, put on lie jackets.

Factors aecting visibility

Poor visibility can have a disturbing eect on your

orientation, whether you are in open ocean or on

an inlet. It also requires you to slow down and keep

an even better lookout.

Mist and og, although not common, occurs, and

the Bureau will include predictions o it in both

marine and land orecasts.

Heavy rain can seriously reduce visibility.

In summer, one o the commoner inuences on

visibility can be smoke rom bush fres driting out

to sea with easterly winds.

Know the conditions

The weather could limit where you go, the load

you can carry saely, whether you should take

inexperienced people with you or i you should

stay home. Beore you set o, get the latest

weather orecast. Knowing the likely conditions

will help you decide where the saest and mostsheltered spots are.

Volunteer sea rescue groups are based in most

coastal population centres and operate within

normal recreational boating hours. They all provide

weather inormation on VHF channels 16 and 67,

27MHz channel 88.

For weather inormation direct rom the Bureau

o Meteorology phone:

WA Coastal Marine Warnings 1300 659 223

WA Marine Service 1900 926 150

Fax inormation 1902 935 200

Website: www.bom.gov.au/weather/wa

W e a

t h er

Don’t get caught out in bad weather.






Page - 65

Other equipment

Make sure you have the correct saety equipment

and survival gear on board your vessel or the area

in which you intend to operate. This will not just

be the gear the law insists on. Charts, compass,

water, ood, extra clothing, tools and spares, extraline or the anchor and sun protection are some o

the additional items you should consider.

Navigation

You should know exactly where you are going,

how to get there and how long it will take to

get back. Carry a chart o the area. Check on

any special boating regulations or the area you

plan to visit. This inormation is on charts, signs

at boat ramps, or the Department’s website:


Navigation charts

Marine charts give detailed inormation including

depths, tidal range and streams, navigation

hazards and anchorages. They are essential when

operating in unamiliar areas, and more than useul

at any time. Team them with local advice on local

conditions. With a chart and a compass you can

work out your position (very important i you need

to give your position to rescuers) and fnd a course

back to shore i rain, og, or smoke obscure theland. Charts are available on the Department’s

website: www.dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine/19100.asp

Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) give an

instant latitude and longitude position. They are

invaluable or giving your position when using a

radio to advise a shore station or other party o

your position. You should also carry a chart and

compass as back-up.

Depth sounder

A depth sounder is a useul aid when approaching

an anchorage or confrming chart details.

Fire blanketEspecially i your boat has a galley, there may

be times when a fre blanket is better than an

extinguisher. Extinguishing a pan o burning oil

or at is one example.

Torch

A buoyant and waterproo torch is best, and

you should also carry spare bulbs and batteries.

This does not substitute or navigation lights. All

boats should display navigation light(s) at night in

accordance with the collision regulations.

Lie rat

Inatable lie rats are expensive, but are wonderul

insurance or larger vessels on longer trips or

travelling well oshore. They are the most e cient

means o evacuating passengers and crew rom

a sinking boat, and are standard equipment on

commercial vessels.

Clothing

It is always colder on the water and the sun is

stronger – extra jumpers, waterproos and

sunscreen are never a waste o space.

Even on hot summer days you should carry at least

a spray jacket, and preerably a jumper as well.

These are even more important or children.

Clothing should not restrict your movements or

signifcantly reduce your buoyancy. I it’s cold and

you need to bulk up, wear a buoyancy garment.

Check your ability to swim or oat in your clothes,

try it out in shallow water.

O t h er E q

ui pm en

t

A chart o the area should be carried.

A waterproo torch.






Page - 67

Emergency contact

Log on

Let someone know beore you go.

This is so vital that it is one o the items included

in the practical assessment.Giving trip details to a responsible person puts

duties on two people, the person to actually do

something i you do not contact them by the

nominated time, and you. You must make that

contact when you return, and you must stick with

the trip plan unless you are able to make contact

during the day and advise o any change.

Some people choose to notiy a neighbour or

relative. I you do, you must accept that this person

may not have much marine understanding. Itwould be best to write the plan down, and go

through it with them. At the end o the plan make

sure you write that they must ring the police i you

don’t make contact at the agreed time.

A ridge magnet is available rom the Department

or you to fll out your trip details on and give to

a responsible person.

The most common responsible person, though,

is the duty o cer at your local sea rescue group,

contacted by radio.

Your radio routine will be similar to this:

Select the calling requency o the sea rescue group,

wait until you are sure you are not interrupting

anyone, and then say:

• “. . . Sea Rescue, this is (vessel name and/or

call sign) over.”

Wait or the reply.

When Sea Rescue acknowledges your call say:


call sign) departing . . . to fsh at the FADs.

ETA at FADs 0930. Estimated return time

1430. Two persons on board, 120 litres o

uel, over.”

When Sea Rescue acknowledges say:

• “Thank you Sea Rescue, out.”

Log o

This is as important as logging on. I you do not

log o, scarce and expensive resources may be

consumed in a utile search or you. The radio

requency and procedure is the same as or the

log on.

L o g O

n / Of f

The “Gone Boating” ridge magnet is available rom the

Department or Planning and Inrastructure.

Always remember to log o once you have returned.




Page - 68

Buoyancy

Almost all trailer boats have otation – sealed air

chambers or oam – to give support i the boat

is swamped. How much otation and where it

is placed determine how eective the buoyancy

will be.

Basic otation

This is enough otation to prevent the vessel and

its maximum load rom sinking when swamped. It

does not necessarily support its passengers saely,

it may oat at any attitude and just give them

something to cling to.

Level otation

When swamped, a vessel with this otation will

oat upright and level (unless it has been capsized),

and support its maximum load and its designed

complement o occupants. This allows the vessel

to be bailed or pumped dry, and vastly improves

the prospects o survival.

Australian Builders Plate

Boats built ater mid 2006 must carry the Australian

Builders Plate, giving vital saety inormation to

their owners – or to help prospective owners make

buying decisions.

One item sometimes overlooked is motor weight.Makers are now quoting maximum outboard

weight as well as maximum power. This is just

one o the saety items included on the Australian

Builders Plate.

The plate must be clearly visible, and includes:

• maximum number o people to be carried;

• maximum engine power and weight; and

• the boat’s buoyancy perormance.

Overloading

I your boat does not have a plate or handbook

recommending a maximum complement o

people, use this table as a guide.

Length o boat Maximum numbero people aboard

Less than 3.0m 2

3.0m to less than 3.5m 3





StabilityStability is the measure o a vessel’s eagerness to

return to the upright ater being heeled, and also

o how ar it can saely heel. It is aected by total

load, by how the load is distributed, and by how

securely stowed the load is. Passengers are part o

the load, and their movement can aect stability,

especially in smaller boats.

• Ensure that total load, including the

number o people on board, is within the

specifcations o the boat.• Heavy items must be stowed low, and all

items must be distributed so as not to cause

a change in trim o the boat (not dip the

stern or the bow).

• No items may be stowed where they

can shit with the vessel’s motion. Scuba

cylinders or instance, which are heavy and

likely to move i unrestrained, have caused

stability problems and outright damage.

• Any gear it is not possible to stow securelymust be restrained by straps or rope lashings.

• Water in the vessel can endanger stability,

both through increasing the total load on

board and through a phenomenon called

ree surace eect. Water ree to move

around the vessel has an eect on stability

out o all proportion to its quantity.

B u o y a n c y

The Builder’s Plate is now

compulsory or all new

vessels built ater mid

2006.




Page - 69

Q6. When loading your vessel with

passengers and equipment or a day’s

outing, you should?

A. Distribute the load evenly in thevessel.

B. Ensure adequate reeboard or the prevailing weather conditions and unexpected deterioration in weather conditions.

C. Restrict passengers to therecommended limit.

D. All o the above.

Q7. I a vessel is ull o water and it has basic

fotation it will

A. Sink straight away.

B. Have enough otation to prevent the boat and its maximum load romsinking.

C. Take three hours to sink.

D. Stay well above the water.

Q8. A low pressure system rotates in which

direction?

A. Clockwise direction.

B. Anti Clockwise.

C. Always north.

D. Vertically.

Q9. Which o the ollowing may be signs o

bad weather?

A. Wind shits.

B. Increases in swell.

C. Cloud build-up.

D. All o the above.


Q1. As part o your trip plan you should

ensure

A. Your boat is suitable or the trip.

B. The weather and tides are avourable.C. That all your saety gear and extras

are on board, in good shape and inreach.

D. All the above.

Q2. The recommended additional uel to

carry or a boating trip is

A. 10 per cent more uel than you expect to use.

B. 20 per cent more uel than you expect to use.

C. 50 per cent more uel than you expect to use.

D. 100 per cent more uel than youexpect to use.

Q3. Which is the most up-to-date weather

orecast available?

A. Bureau o Meteorology.

B. The newspaper.

C. Last night’s television news.

D. AM /FM radio.

Q4. Which o the ollowing wind warnings

indicates that the average wind speed is

expected to be 25 to 33 knots?

A. Strong wind warning.

B. Gale warning.

C. Storm warning.

D. Sea breeze.

Q5. When about to undertake a recreational

boating trip, on what occasion is it

advisable to inorm relatives, riends or

local authorities o your travel plans and

estimated time o arrival at destination

or return?

A. Whenever bad weather is orecast.

B. I travelling overnight.

C. On every occasion.

D. When you go boating alone.

T r i p

P l anni n

g– S el f

T e s t





Page - 70

Emergency situations

Types o emergency – appropriate response

Well-prepared boaters seldom have big problems

at sea. These are the people who are ready to

cope with the unexpected and usually avoid

emergencies. But accidents still occur to the mostthoughtul o people, and you need to be ready

to deal with them.

At the end o this section, skippers should have

knowledge o how to prevent and deal with some

o the more common boating emergencies.

Assisting others

When you are not actually using your radio, you

are required to keep it tuned either to the distress

requency or Sea Rescue’s working requency.

This is because you must stay available to assist

others. It is a legal obligation to oer help i you

hear a radio distress call or see distress signals or

a burning vessel.

The traditions o the sea also say that you should

respond to urgency radio calls or to other requests

or assistance that all outside the distress

category.

You are not obliged to oer a tow to other vessels.

You can oer to stand by until Sea Rescue turnsup.

Leadership

The saety equipment you have to carry, and the

logical extras, will go a long way towards relieving

most problems. But you need thought and action

as well. A prime requirement is or the skipper to

be the skipper – to set an example by getting onwith the job decisively and logically.

Send distress signal

Decide as quickly as possible i your emergency

needs outside help, then waste no time asking or

it. The radio is almost always the best means, but

a are or waving arms might be appropriate or a

nearby vessel. The ashing o a mirror or dedicated

heliograph can attract the attention o a vessel or

aircrat within visible range.

Lie jackets

Make your passengers as sae as possible. This will

almost certainly include putting on lie jackets, and

may involve moving people to a dierent part o

the vessel, or even preparing them to abandon

the boat.

Check to make sure there is no danger o the

emergency getting worse, or instance, a parteduel line assisting the start o a fre.

Check what inormal means you have o easing

the emergency. As an extreme example, on more

than one ooding boat, skippers have put cooling

water intakes into the bilge and used the engine

itsel as an extra pump.

E m

e r g e n c y S i t u a t i o n s

You should always try to assist others i sae to do so.

Flares are a good method o indicating that you are in distress.






Page - 72

Capsize

Capsizes have caused more boating deaths than

any other type o accident.

These are among the commonest capsizing

actors:

• gross overloading, or poor distribution o

load;

• broaching when running with a ollowing

sea. This is made more likely by the boat not

having the bow trimmed up;

• ree surace eect due to water in the boat or

shiting load;

• poor driving technique;

• caught by breakers on the seaward side o a

ree (usually on days o bigger than normalswell); and

• caught by wind and waves with the

occupants on one side pulling pots.

Stay with vessel i possible

As always, saety o your passengers is the frst

priority. I the boat capsizes, make sure they are

all there and make sure they stay with the boat.

Most trailable-sized boats have enough otation

to keep aoat i upturned.

I you can, turn the boat upright and bail it out. This

is di cult with a dinghy – it may well be impossible

with a larger boat. I you cannot right the boat

and get inside it you should try to get as much

o yourselves as possible onto the hull – you willlose less body heat.

Consider getting the best swimmer to dive and

remove liejackets and saety gear. Keeping the

small items in a watertight container will have

made this easier. Once you have your saety gear,

consider the appropriate means to use to get help.

Never swim away rom a capsized boat.

Sinking

Most trailer boats have otation to cope with

ooding, and seldom sink. Larger boats without

otation usually take some time to sink. Having

lie jackets quickly accessible, saety items and

emergency provisions in a watertight drum, and

water in a oating container should allow enough

time to take these essentials with you.

Beore abandoning the boat, attempt to send a

Mayday message. Do not remove any clothing – i

there is time, it is better to put more on. Once in

the water activate the EPIRB.

To keep everybody together, and to conserve body

heat, adopt the huddle position described under

hypothermia in the frst aid section. C a p

s i z e

You should stay with your vessel until help arrives.




Page - 73

Grounding

Grounding is very common, with results ranging

rom minor scratching to sinking, injuries and

environmental damage. Speed and type o bottom

hit are oten all that cause the dierence.

Running aground

I you do run aground, look ater your passengers.

Coming to a sudden stop can cause injuries. You

may need to call or medical assistance.

Assess the damage. Is the boat leaking? I you are

outboard or sterndrive powered, raise the leg and

check or propeller damage.

I the boat appears serviceable, check or depth

around the boat by probing with a boat hook or

even getting over the side. Pushing o may be thebest option or getting the boat clear, although

you may need to wait or the tide to rise.

I the boat is unseaworthy or hard aground call

or assistance.

Prevention

This is a thoroughly preventable type o emergency.

Knowing where you should be and where you

actually are, and keeping a good lookout are the

keys.

Plan your trips using a chart, and take the chart

along. Ensure you will have enough water depth

throughout.

Make sure you can identiy all the navigation

marks, and bear in mind that not all o them have

lights at night.

Whenever in doubt about your position or the

identity o a navigation aid, slow down.

Breakdown

Well-maintained motors are unlikely to break

down, and most breakdowns consist o the motor

reusing to start rather than simply stopping.

Outboard not starting

Not everything in this list applies to every

outboard motor, but it is the basis o a simple

troubleshooting routine.

• Does tank have uel? Is air vent clear?

• Is uel line unkinked and connected?

• Is the uel bulb hard? I not, squeeze

continually.

• Does choke close ully?

• Check the carburettor air intake.

• Is the motor cranking ast enough? Check

battery connections.

• Wait fve minutes and try again.

• Battery at? Start with rope around ywheel.

• Broken starter cord? Start with rope around

ywheel.

• Change spark plugs.

• Change uses.• Ensure kill switch is attached.

Several o the above are also logical checks to

make i the motor stops.

I you are unable to restart the motor, you should, i

possible, anchor to hold your position. Unless your

boat is driting into danger or has other problems,

breakdown is not a reason or making a Pan Pan

or Mayday call. You should call Sea Rescue or

assistance.

Gr o u

n d i n g-

B r e ak d own s

Ater grounding, assess the damage and check or leaks.

Poorly maintained motors are more likely to breakdown.




Page - 74

Fire

Fire prevention is preerable to fre fghting. Fires

involving LP gas are invariably catastrophic,

and petrol fres usually so – essentially, they are

explosions rather than fres. Besides these, boats

are prone to the same types and causes o fres asyou get ashore.

Some causes o fres

• overheated oil on galley stove;

• overloaded or incorrectly wired electrical

system;

• poor engine room housekeeping – rags

in contact with turbocharger or exhaust

system;

• leaking uel or gas lines; or• poor reuelling technique.

Correct installation, good housekeeping, regular

maintenance and good fre prevention technique

can prevent most o these.

Engine

There are boats on the water powered by

petrol engines with substandard conversions to

marine use. They may have inadequate means

o preventing stray sparks, have second-rate

uel systems, and be in compartments with poor

ventilation.

When buying a used boat with an inboard or

sterndrive motor, have the motor and installation

checked by a marine mechanic.

Fuel vapour is heavier than air, and will not leave a

compartment without assistance. Consider having

power ventilation installed.

LPG

LPG systems, a prime candidate or fres, must

be correctly installed by a qualifed person. As

with petrol, the vapour is heavier than air, so the

cylinder must be stowed above deck in a place

where vapour spills will run over the side.

When you have fnished cooking with an LPG

stove, turn o the gas at the cylinder and let the

gas jets keep burning until they go out. Then turn

them o.

Housekeeping

Locate your extinguishers where they are most

accessible – not near the source o a potential fre

– and check and maintain them.

Keep the bilge and engine room cleanHave the installation and maintenance o all

electrical, gas, diesel and petrol equipment carried

out by qualifed tradesmen.

Frequently make your own checks or leaks in uel

and gas systems.

Technique

Develop a consistent routine or starting your

engine. For inboards and sterndrives this should

always include entering the engine room or

opening the motor box, checking or leaks andsni ng as low in the bilge as you can reach.

The human nose is good at detecting minute

concentrations o ammable vapour.

F i r e F

i g h t i n g

Vapour detectors can warn o potentially explosive gas mixtures.




Page - 75

Reuelling

Reuelling is the most likely time or uel spills.

When reuelling:

• turn o everything that uses electricity, gas

or liquid uel;• send passengers ashore;

• take portable uel tanks out o the boat;

• have a fre extinguisher near the reuelling

point;

• know how much uel you need to take and

so reduce the chance o overflling (leave

space to allow or expansion o the uel);

• i your uel tank is metal, there must be

electrical continuity between the mouth o

the uel fller pipe and the tank. The hosenozzle must stay in contact with the fller

mouth while the uel is owing; and

• check the bilge or spillage and or the smell

o uel. Do not start the engine until all uel

smell has gone.

Fighting a fre

The most important consideration is human lie,

the boat is secondary.

• Raise the alarm and make a head count.

• Get someone to make a Pan Pan radio call.

• Get someone to take charge o the saety

gear and move the passengers as ar as

possible rom the fre.

• I the fre is within an enclosed space, close

all openings to reduce air supply to the fre.

• Close o uel lines and gas lines.

• Try to put out the fre with extinguishers,

fre blanket, water buckets or whatever

is appropriate. The best way to deal with

burning items may be simply to throw themover the side.

When the fre is apparently out, still keep an

eye on it and on adjoining spaces; fres can

restart. Chemical extinguishers do not cool fres

– consider using water to cool ater the ames are

extinguished.

F i r eF i

gh t i n g

Never leave the reuelling nozzle unattended.




Page - 76

First Aid

Training

Knives, fshing gear, venomous sea lie, galleys

and engine spaces – as well as a range o potential

accidents – provide endless opportunities or injury

on board. It makes a lot o sense to take a frst aidcourse with experts such as St John Ambulance

or Red Cross. O course, back up the training by

carrying a suitable frst aid kit.

Seasickness

Preventive measures

Check whether your passengers are prone to

seasickness. I they usually take medication or

it, make sure they take it at the recommended

time. For those prone to seasickness consider the

ollowing:

• Non-medication remedies work or many

people. Eating ginger or wearing an

acupuncture band are popular.

• Avoid greasy ood and alcohol beore and

during the trip.

• Sit in the lowest motion part o the boat,

usually near the stern.

• Stay in the open air.

I seasickness strikes

Oten, people are only prone to seasickness in a

stationary boat. I a bad bout comes on, try getting

under way again.

Bad seasickness can dehydrate people quickly.

Encourage a seasick person to continually sip

water.

Hypothermia

This is the result o major heat loss rom the body,

causing a lowering o the body’s core temperature.

Immersion in cold water multiplies the rate o heat

loss by many times, and being in wet clothes incold wind can, over time, also cause hypothermia.

Hypothermia is a lie threatening condition, most

common in survivors o boat capsizes or sinkings,

and it is made worse by physical exertion like

swimming or treading water. Greatest heat loss is

rom the head, the armpits and rom the crotch.

Huddle/HELP position – lessening the eect

I at all possible get out o the water, or at least get

out as much o yoursel as you can by climbing

onto a capsized hull.

I in the water, wearing a lie jacket allows you to

protect the heat loss areas.

The Heat Escape Lessening Position (HELP) puts

your legs together and drawn up, your upper arms

tight by the sides o your chest, and your head

back.

The Huddle position is adopted by a group o people. Clustering close together in a circle, ribs

touching, arms around each other, greatly reduces

heat loss.

F i r s

t A i d

The HELP and Huddle positions can slow down heat loss.




Page - 77

Treating hypothermia

Usually the circumstances will suggest the

possibility o hypothermia i the victim seems

drowsy and is cold to the touch.

Other signs include:

• aint, slow pulse;

• shallow breathing;

• conusion, with slurred speech; and

• dilated pupils.

Your aim should be to prevent urther heat loss,

and gradually warm the victim.

• Move the victim to a sheltered part o the

boat.

• Remove wet clothing and wrap in whatever

clothing, blankets etc are available.

• Dry the hair and put a beanie or similar on

the head.

• Probably the best way to gently warm the

victim is to share a sleeping bag and use your

body’s own heat. Do not rub or massage.

• Do not give alcohol.

• Make a radio call to Sea Rescue and ask or

urther advice while heading or shore atyour best speed.

E m er g en c y S i t u a t i on s –

S el f T e s

t


Q1. In most circumstances i a vessel

capsizes it is best to:

A. Swim away rom the vessel.

B. Try swimming to the shore as agroup.

C. Send the strongest swimmer to get help.

D. Stay with the vessel.

Q2. Most vessel groundings can be avoided

by:

A. Planning your trips using a chart.

B. Knowing what navigation marks look like and mean.

C. Slowing down i you are unsure o ansituation.

D. All o the above.

Q3. I you are out in a power-driven vessel

in calm weather and the motor cuts out

unexpectedly, you should rst o all:

A. Fire ares.

B. Radio Mayday.

C. Drop the anchor and assess your options.

D. Swim or shore.

.Q4. Fuel vapour will not leave a

compartment without assistance due to:

A. Fuel vapours being the same weight as air.

B. Fuel vapours being lighter than air.

C. Fuel vapours being heavier than air.

D. All o the above.

Q5. Ater a period o being exposured to

cold water the most likely eect on the

body will be:

A. Hunger.

B. Hypothermia.

C. Dehydration.

D. Thirst.

Q6. Who is responsible or the saety o all

on board a recreational vessel?

A The owner or their representative.

B The most experienced person onboard.

C Any qualifed person.

D The skipper.







Page - 79

Task 1 – The skipper operates the vessel saely within the rules and regulations

Criteria: During the perormance o all tasks, you must obey the relevant rules, regulations, and good

order practices relating to:

1. Impact on others and the environment.

2. Procedures, rules and regulations.

3. Condition o vessel and equipment.

4. Perormance o the boat and personnel is monitored at all times.

Monitoring the boat and passengers

Throughout your assessment, or any other trip,

you should give similar levels o attention to the

skippering job that you would to the driving o a

car. You monitor externally:

• Keeping a lookout and determining whether

action may be needed under the Collision

Rules.

• Keeping track o your position.

• Assessing sea state and deciding on

appropriate speeds.

• Adjusting the outboard leg trim to suit the

direction o travel (generally, you trim the leg

IN when heading into a sea and OUT when

running with it).

Monitor the state o the vessel

• Checking the engine gauges.• Ensuring the vessel is not taking water.

Monitor your crew and passengers

• Ensuring you still have them all on board.

• Directing them to sit in places that best aid

the vessel’s trim.

• Ensuring they do not endanger themselves

by, or example, having hands on the

gunwale when berthing.

T a s k 1 –V e

s s el i s s

af e

This is not a single skill you must demonstrate.

All through the practical assessment – and at all

other times o course – you must operate your

vessel saely, and must obey any local and general

rules. Although the assessor may ask you to carry

out certain manoeuvres, you are still the skipper

o your boat and are responsible or your own and

your passengers’ saety. You should not undertakeany manoeuvre that at that moment you believe

to be unsae. Unsae skippering is considered

unacceptable and will result in immediate ailure

at any stage during the assessment

Reer to the task criteria listed above. Almost all o

them are covered in the knowledge section o this

workbook. They are brought up again here because

you will be expected to use the knowledge in

action while you are operating your boat.

Condition o vessel and equipment

The assessor will require your boat and its

equipment to be in good condition, to be registered

and displaying a current registration sticker.

You should have on board the required saety gear

or the area o operation you will travel during your

assessment, it must be in a serviceable condition

and stowed where it is easily accessible.

I carried, check:

• The extinguisher has correct pressure.• The radio is working.

• The EPIRB is in date and the test light

unctions.

• The ares are dry and in a serviceable

condition.

• The PFDs are the regulation type, have no

obvious sun damage, the tapes are frmly

attached, and the stitching is in good

condition.




Page - 80

Securing your boat in a pen

I your boat is secured in a pen the lines need to

be attached so your vessel will not impact with the

jetties. Dependant on your boat design and pen

layout you could have a combination o bow and

stern lines as well as springs, these lines will also

usually have counter weights that apply pressure

on the boat holding it in position. Indicate to the

assessor the condition o the lines, line splices,

metal shackles and all associated hardware rom

the pen posts to the securing points on the boat.

All lines, splices, metal shackles and associated

hardware must be in good condition to meet the

RST standard.

Securing your boat on a mooring

I your boat is secured to a mooring you need

to indicate to the assessor the condition o the

lines, line splices, metal shackles and all associated

hardware rom the mooring to the securing points

on the boat. All lines, splices, metal shackles and

associated hardware must be in good condition

to meet the RST standard.

Task 2 – Skipper checks the suitability and condition o the vessel’s berthing and

mooring equipment

Criteria: Demonstrate that your vessel’s mooring/berthing equipment is appropriate and serviceable

by:

1. Checking that berthing/mooring lines are in good condition.

2. Checking that the cleats, bitts, etc are sound and secure.

3. Securing the vessel using the lines and cleats.

During this task the assessor will ask you to

demonstrate that all mooring and berthing

equipment is in good condition prior to departing.

The assessor will say to you, “Please show me that

your vessel is secure and your mooring lines and

equipment are in good condition.” You should

move around the boat pointing out the lines are

in good condition and that all cleats, bollards, etc

are sound and not about to all o. All lines, splices,

metal shackles and associated hardware must be

in good condition to meet the RST standard.

The cable and all other ropes on board must

be in good condition

UV damage rom sunlight will eventually destroy

most rope, so when it is not in use it should be

stored away rom the sun. UV damage shows up in

ading o colour (twist the rope to open the lay and

compare the interior colour with the outside), and

in increasing hardness and roughness o its eel.

Wear will also damage rope. This mostly shows up

as broken fbres poking through the lay.

Check all the associated hardware

This includes cleats, bollards and bitts attached to

the boat. Ensure all securing points are a suitable

size or the thickness o the rope and the weight

they will have to carry. Securing points should be

checked or any movement, cracking and wear that

may signifcantly reduce the securing capability.Securing your boat alongside

You will be required to demonstrate securing your

boat alongside a jetty, a pen or a mooring using

the cleats and ropes. Depending on the size o

the vessel you may only require a bow and a stern

line. T a s k 2

– B e r t h

i n g e q u

i p m e n t

Check that lines are in a good condition.




Page - 81

Task 3 – Skipper conducts a saety brieng to all on board identiying the type and

location o the vessel’s saety equipment

Criteria: Communicate your knowledge o your vessel’s saety equipment and ensure that the

inormation is understood by all persons onboard by:

1. Identiying the type o saety equipment.

2. Identiying the location o the saety equipment.

3. Checking that the inormation is understood by all persons onboard.

To complete this task you will be required to:

• Show all the saety equipment required or

the area you will be operating in. As a skipper

you will need to identiy each type o saety

equipment required.

• Point out the location all the saety

equipment required or the area you will

be operating in. Saety equipment shouldbe located in a place that is accessible at all

times.

• Confrm with all people on board that the

inormation is understood.

The frst two points will normally be carried out

simultaneously.

T a s k 3 – S af

e t y b r i e

f i n g

I you have ever been on a charter boat or erry

you will have received a briefng rom the skipper

at the start o the trip, this briefng would be a

model or the briefng you will be required to give

to your assessor.

During this task you must demonstrate that you

understand how to and can deliver a saety briefng.

The assessor will say to you, “Please conduct asaety briefng or the area we are operating in.”

You should move around the boat pointing out

the saety equipment or the area you will be

operating in and ensure that all on board know

where it will be stored.

REMEMBER: I your boat does not carry the

mandatory saety equipment or the area you

propose to operate in or the RST practical

assessment, the assessment will be terminated.

Check the Saety Equipment chapter in thisWorkbook to know what must be on board and

what condition it must be beore presenting your

boat or assessment.

Show all the saety equipment required or the area you will be operating in.




Page - 82

Task 4 – Skipper prepares and starts motor saely

Criteria: Demonstrate the pre-checks and sae starting o an engine by:


know how to run through the pre-checks and

sae starting o an engine. The assessor will say

to you, “Please conduct your pre-start checks and

start your motor.” You should conduct the pre-

checks relative to your boat and start your motor

successully to meet the RST standard.

Not all the criteria listed above will relate to your

vessel, and you will only need to demonstrate what

is relative to your actual boat. Your assessor will

be amiliar with your vessel and will know which

criteria are appropriate and which are not.

REMEMBER: I your motor does not start or you ail

to start it, the assessment will be terminated. Check

the motor has been serviced and is running well

beore presenting your boat or assessment.

Checks

Checking over your motor beore the start o each

trip is basic and vital. Exactly what you check will

depend on your propulsion system. You should

choose all appropriate items rom the ollowing

list:

• Su cient uel or planned trip plus a reserve.

• Flexible uel line connected, primed and leak

ree. Fuel cocks open.

• Engine space and bilge ree o uel vapour.

• Engine and gear box oil levels correct.

• Coolant levels correct.

• Raw water intake sea cocks open.

T a s k 4 – P r e

- s t a r t c h e c k s

Starting

Detailed starting procedure will also vary rom

motor to motor, but the ollowing should

be demonstrated to the assessor as ar as

practicable:

• Main electrical switches on.

• Connect kill switch i ftted.

• Select neutral gear.

• Check vicinity o propeller or obstructions

and people in the water.

• Start the motor, check the volt meter readingwhile cranking (this gives a good indication

o the battery’s condition).

• Check cooling water ow.

• During the trip monitor the motor’s

perormance. This would include checking

coolant temperature, oil pressure and

unexpected changes in engine speed or

sound.

Fuel System

1. Checking uel ventilation (umes).

2. Checking uel lines are open and

connected.

3. Checking uel levels are adequate or

voyage.

Cooling System

4. Checking coolant levels i ftted.

5. Checking intakes are open and clear.

Electrical System

6. Checking that power is turned on.

7. Checking kill switch i ftted.

Start Up

8. Selecting neutral gear.

9. Checking that it is sae to start.

10. Starting the motor.

11. Checking that the motor is running

satisactorily.

12. Checking water pump is working.

13. Monitoring motor.

Conduct a pre-start check beore starting.




Page - 83

Task 5 – Skipper advises a responsible person o the voyage plan

Criteria: Communicate by radio or other means, the voyage and vessel details to a responsible person

by notiying them o:

1. The vessel’s name, registration number or call sign.

2. The departure point and time.

3. The destination.

4. The trip intentions.

5. The number o persons onboard.

6. The amount o uel carried.

7. The Estimated Time o Return.

Boats carry several means o indicating distress

or otherwise asking or help, but good boating

sense says having someone ashore who knows

about your trip plan gives an extra level o saety. I

something goes badly wrong, and you are unable

to use your distress equipment, a search will still

get under way.

Giving trip details to a responsible person puts

duties on two people, the person to actually do

something i you do not contact them by the

nominated time, and you. You must make that

contact when you return, and you must stick with

the trip plan unless you are able to make contact

during the day and advise o any change.

The most common responsible person that

skippers log on with is the duty o cer at the

local sea rescue group. Some people choose to

notiy a neighbour or relative. I you do, you must

accept that this person may not have much marine

understanding. It would be best to write the plan

down, and go through it with them. At the end

o the plan make sure you write that they must

ring the police i you don’t make contact at the

agreed time. A ridge magnet is available rom the

Department or you to fll out your trip details onand give to a responsible person.

You will be required to demonstrate that you know

how to log on. The assessor will say to you, “Please

log on or our voyage.” This can be done by writing

the inormation down, simulating a radio call or

by other means. Regardless o your choice o how

you choose to log on, you must include each o the

seven points listed above to successully meet the

RST standard. Prior to perorming the task you may

have to ask the assessor or details about whereand how long the assessment will take place, the

assessor will be happy to provide this.

T a

s k 5 –V o y a g e pl an

I you choose to demonstrate your knowledge by

simulating a radio call, your radio routine will be

similar to this:

Select the working requency o the sea rescuegroup, wait until you are sure you are not

interrupting anyone, and then say:


call sign) over.” And then wait or the reply.

When Sea Rescue acknowledges your call say:


call sign) currently departing . . . to fsh at

the FADs west o Rottnest. Two persons on

board, 120 litres o uel. Estimated return

time to this location is 1430, over.”When Sea Rescue acknowledges say:

• “Thank you Sea Rescue, out.”

Inorm a responsible person o your trip plan.




Page - 84

Task 6 – The skipper saely departs a berth

Criteria: Saely depart a berth by demonstrating:

1. Checking that it is sae to perorm the manoeuvre.

2. Allowing or the eects o wind/current.

3. Departing with little or no impact with berth.

4. Not impeding other vessels.

5. Using appropriate revs.

6. Demonstrating smooth and timely use o gears.

7. Mooring lines are stowed/replaced/secured.

Beore departing the berth, ensure it will not

interere with other boats – look around.

Except in unusual circumstances you will reverse

away rom a berth, the swing o the stern when

rudder or engine movements are used or steeringwill make it di cult to get the bow o the jetty i

moving ahead.


understand how to depart a berth saely, this could

be rom a jetty, pontoon (boat) or pen. The assessor

will say to you, “Please depart the berth.”

You should depart the berth ensuring it is sae to

do so or other vessels and people, with little or

no impact to the berth, using appropriate revs

and smooth use o gears to successully to meetthe RST standard.

The ollowing are examples o the procedures

or departing a berth on three dierent types o

vessel.

Outboard leg (outboard or sterndrive motor)

• Step 1: With the motor in neutral, turn the

wheel ully away rom the berth, this points

the propeller in the direction the stern will

go in reverse. Put the motor in reverse and

apply very little throttle. Unless wind orcurrent is pushing the vessel onto the berth,

the stern will move out and the bow will

not scrape on the berth. I the boat is being

pushed on, you may need to straighten the

wheel a little as the vessel moves astern, this

will protect the bow rom hitting the berth.

• Step 2: Once the bow o the vessel is clear

o the jetty and while still in reverse, turn

the wheel ully toward the berth, this will

straighten the vessel by swinging the sterntowards the berth and the bow away rom

the berth.

• Step 3: When the vessel is parallel to the

berth turn the wheel in the direction you

wish to go and engage orward propulsion.

T a s k

6 – D e p

a r t i n g a

b e r t h

1

23




Page - 85

• Step 2: When the stern is pointing well away

rom the berth, put the motor in neutral,

release the spring, turn the wheel away rom

the berth, and reverse out.

• Step 3: Once the bow o the vessel is clearo the jetty and while still in reverse, turn

the wheel ully toward the berth, this will

straighten the vessel by swinging the stern

towards the berth and the bow away rom

the berth.

• Step 4: When the vessel is parallel to the

berth turn the wheel in the direction you

wish to go and engage orward propulsion.

T a s k

6 – D e p ar t i n g a

b er t h

Single shat

The single shat’s rudder needs a ow o water over

it beore it will turn the boat. Thereore releasing

the lines and going astern will usually not be very

successul, particularly i wind or current is pushing

the vessel onto the berth. The commonest way o getting o uses a spring.

• Step 1: Remove all berthing lines except

a spring leading at rom well orward.

Consider putting a ender between the berth

and the shoulder o the bow.

Turn the wheel ully towards the berth.

Put the motor into orward gear and apply

a small amount o throttle. The vessel will

try to move orward but the spring stops it.

There is now a good ow o water past therudder, so the stern will swing away rom the

berth. The vessel also tends to pivot around

the bow’s shoulder.

1

2

34




Twin shat

A similar manoeuvre can be made with twin shats.

Most close quarter manoeuvring with twin screw

vessels is probably best done entirely with the

engines.

• Step 1: When swinging the stern out, goorwards on the engine urther rom the

berth and astern on the engine closest to the

berth.

sk

6 – D e p

a r t i n g a

b e r t h

• Step 2: Once the stern has swung out ar

enough to clear any obstacles, release the

spring and go astern on both engines.

• Step 3: Once the bow o the vessel is well

clear o the jetty, go orwards on the engineclosest to the berth. When the vessel is

pointing in the direction you wish to go, go

orwards on both engines.

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