Marine Safety

Recreational boating safety

Boating rules | Accidents and incidents | Dangers to navigation | Navigational aids | Safety checks | Minimum safety requirements | Minimum safety standards

Boating rules in the Northern Territory

Pleasure craft do not require registration and operators are not required to hold a licence to drive a pleasure craft.

However, minimum requirements for safety equipment have been determined for most pleasure craft.

It is important that operators familiarise themselves with the Marine (Pleasure Craft) Regulations in regard to safety equipment requirements, including any exemptions that are applicable.

NT Marine and Fisheries Police and Marine Safety Branch Boating Safety Inspectors conduct frequent patrols at boat ramps and on the water.

Collision regulations

The Collision Regulations apply to all vessels in Northern Territory waters which are navigable by sea-going vessels. Penalties for non-compliance applies - refer to the Marine Act and Collision Regulations.

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Accidents and incidents

The master of any vessel, including pleasure craft which, when within Northern Territory Waters, or whose next port of call is at a port or place in the Northern Territory:

1. is involved in or causes an accident or collision
2. receives damage which renders or is likely to render it unsafe
3. has been in great danger from the act of some other vessel
4. has been in danger of wreck or collision
5. fouls or does damage to a pipeline, submarine cable or marine navigational unit
6. is involved in an accident in which the sea is polluted by oil or by any noxious substance either by it or by another vessel
7. being a vessel other than a fishing vessel, having left a port or place in the Territory, puts back to that port or place.

Shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, provide a report in writing to the Director.

FAILURE TO COMPLY CARRIES A PENALTY

The Master of a vessel, (other than a fishing vessel or an overseas voyage or trading vessel or an interstate or overseas voyage), shall notify the Marine Safety Branch of the death or serious injury of a person or seaman on that vessel.

FAILURE TO COMPLY CARRIES A PENALTY

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Dangers to navigation

Section 115 of the Northern Territory Marine Act requires Masters of vessels to report dangers to navigation to both ships in the vicinity and to the Marine Safety Branch of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.

Reports of new and suspected dangers should be sent to the Marine Safety Branch, Department of Planning and Infrastructure.

This will enable information to be forwarded to the Hydrographic Office in order that charts may be amended and annotated for the navigational safety of all vessels.

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Navigational aids (Navaids)

Responsibility for the administration of navigation aids falls into three categories and are based on the geographical location and purpose of the aid:

• Those aids used by international and main coastal shipping are maintained by Australian Maritime Safety Authority

• Navaids located within the Port of Darwin are maintained by the Darwin Port Corporation, contact the Harbourmaster on 8922 0646
• Navaids located elsewhere within NT waters - contact the Marine Safety Branch.

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Safety checks

Check your safety equipment and carry the required quantity. Ensure it is in good condition, of regulation standard and that it is stowed properly.

Know your basic "Rules of the Road" at sea, the International Signals for Distress and other basic signals.

Tell someone where you are going. Before departing, advise a relative or responsible friend of your proposed itinerary and expected time of return and also give them a description of your boat and tell them who is travelling with you.

Check the weather, if in doubt don't go out. For weather information phone the Bureau of Meteorology.

Before departing check your boat and motor(s) and ensure they are in sound working order and drain plugs are tightly inserted. ALWAYS CARRY SPARES.

Check your fuel. Ensure you have enough for the trip with an adequate reserve for an emergency. Make sure your fuel lines and tanks are in good condition and that they don't leak. It is advisable to always use fresh fuel and keep it in an airtight container.

Carry a chart of the area. Study it and familiarise yourself with positions of the navigational aids and hazards you are likely to encounter.

Don't overload your boat. Distribute weight evenly and use the supplier's recommendations as to the maximum carrying capacity of your vessel.

Carry appropriate tools and spares in case or breakdown:

• spark plug and spark plug spanners
• spare propeller
• penetrating fluid
• shear pins and split pins
• spanners, screwdriver, pliers etc.

Keep a good lookout at all times. Proceed with caution in unfamiliar waters.

Excess alcohol and boating don't mix. The person in charge of the vessel is responsible for the safety of the craft and the lives of the passengers.

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Minimum safety requirements

Equipment

1. Pleasure craft under 5 metres in length:
   1. one approved lifejacket or buoyancy vest for each person on board; - See Note 2
   2. two paddles or oars fitted with rowlocks;
   3. one bailer with lanyard;
   4. one anchor fitted with an anchor cable of not less than 50 m;
   5. one litre for each person on board of fresh drinking water in a leakproof container;
   6. one waterproof torch or lantern;
   7. two red flares; - See Note 1
   8. two orange smoke signals - See Note 1
2. Pleasure craft of 5 metre to 10 metres in length:
   1. one approved lifejacket or buoyancy vest for each person on board; - See Note 2
   2. one bailer with lanyard or bilge pump;
   3. one anchor fitted with an anchor cable of not less than 50 m;
   4. one portable fire extinguisher; - See Note 1
   5. one litre for each person on board of fresh drinking water in a leak-proof container;
   6. one waterproof torch or lantern;
   7. two red flares; - See Note 1
   8. two orange smoke signals; - See Note 1
   9. one "V" distress sheet;
   10. one liquid damped compass;
   11. one chart of the area of operation.
3. Pleasure craft of more than 10 metre in length:
   1. one approved lifejacket or buoyancy vest for each person on board; - See Note 2
   2. one bilge pump with a minimum capacity of 100 L per minute;
   3. two anchors, each fitted to an anchor cable of not less than 50 m;
   4. two portable fire extinguishers; - See Note 1
   5. two buckets, each of not less than 9 L capacity and fitted with a lanyard;
   6. one litre for each person on board of fresh drinking water in a leak-proof container;
   7. one waterproof torch or lantern;
   8. two red flares - See Note 1
   9. two orange smoke signals - See Note 1;
   10. one "V" distress sheet;
   11. one liquid damped compass;
   12. one chart of the area of operation;
   13. one lifebuoy fitted with buoyant line.

EPIRB (For all lengths) - One (1) 406MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) must be carried onboard if the vessel is operating outside sheltered waters and more than 2 nautical miles from the coast.

4. Tender:
   A tender is an auxiliary vessel that is used solely for or as a means of transportation between a pleasure craft and the shore. Safety equipment required onboard are:
   1. 2 paddles or oars fitted with rowlocks;
   2. one bailer with lanyard.

Note 1:

Expiry dates on:

• Red hand held flares
• Orange smoke signals
• Fire extinguishers
• EPIRBS (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)

Expiry dates must be adhered to for the above equipment to be considered serviceable.

Note 2:

Any new Lifejackets, Personnel Flotation Devices or buoyancy vests supplied for the use on pleasure craft in the Northern Territory must meet Australian Standard AS 1512 or conform with "SOLAS" or "COASTAL" standards.

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Minimum safety standards for pleasure craft or tender

A person shall not operate a pleasure craft or tender at sea unless it is:

1. serviceable;
   
2. seaworthy for the purposes for which it is operated;
3. not overloaded;
4. provided with a means or carries equipment which will enable a person who has fallen into the sea from the pleasure craft or tender to reboard it; and
5. carries the prescribed safety equipment as detailed below.

The above standards do not apply to a person on or in:

1. a surf ski, jet ski, racing shell, canoe, kayak or windsurfer;
2. a sailing boat under 5 metres or with permanently closed hulls, where persons on or in the boat are wearing approved lifejackets or approved buoyancy vests; and
3. a pleasure craft which has been entered into a race in the event known as the Beer Can Regatta, or other approved aquatic events.

A person shall not operate a pleasure craft or tender at sea recklessly, carelessly, or negligently or in a manner, which is dangerous to the public or is likely to cause injury to persons or property.

Exempt areas:

Safety equipment required for the exempt areas detailed below are:

1. Anchor and cable.
2. Waterproof torch.
3. Two paddles or oars fitted with rowlocks.

Approved exempt areas:

1. Liverpool River - upstream from the north tip of Bat Island.
2. McArthur River - exempt area upstream from the south-west tip of Kangaroo Island.
3. South Alligator River - upstream from Manmalary Crossing.
4. Roper River - upstream from South Point Green Island.
5. Adelaide River - upstream from Castle Point.
6. Victoria River - upstream from the junction of Baines River and Victoria River.
7. East Alligator River - upstream from Turkey Dreaming.
8. Daly River - upstream from Cleanskin Swamp.
9. King River.
10. Buffalo Creek.
11. Meckitts Creek.
12. Leeders Creek.
13. Saltwater Arm.
14. Howard River.
15. Sampan Creek - upstream from the old Barramundi Closure Line located through the point 131 47'06" East, 12 21'04" South.

Any enquiries should be directed to the Marine Safety Branch.

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