Horns, radios but no mobile phones named in Victoria’s marine safety makeover
Victoria is looking at alternatives to boaters needing to carry flares in enclosed and coastal watersVictorian boaters who hug the coastline or stick to inshore waters could soon not need to carry flares under a proposed overhaul of the state’s marine safety laws.
Marine Safety Victoria is undertaking a review of the state’s on-water safety needs as part of the cycle of regulations that mean they need to be updated every 10 years, a practice known as “sunsetting”.
One of the proposals being considered for the new marine safety regulations that will replace the old ones introduced in 2012 is a proposal to allow boaters to carry alternatives to flares if they do not head far offshore.
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These alternatives include a compressed air horn, an EPIRB, a personal locator beacon, or a VHF radio.
“Powered vessels are required to carry on board flares in both enclosed and coastal waters,” MSV said in a paper that provides a snapshot of how it may change the regulations.
“Flares in general only have a serviceable life of three years, thus requiring frequent replacement. Flares are difficult to dispose of and have limited use in emergency situations.”
No mention is made of carrying a smartphone as a potential safety device, although some Victorian waters such as Dartmouth Dam are so isolated that they are well out of mobile phone reception.
Push to phase out 27MHz
The proposed change to the regulations also suggests older 27MHz radios should be phased out as a means of calling for help.
“VHF radios have a longer range and are more reliable in deteriorating conditions when compared to 27MHz radios,”
“VHF marine radios are also supported by an extensive Marine Radio Victoria network which provides 24/7 distress monitoring while also providing weather forecasts and safety alerts.
“In contrast, 27MHz marine radios are not monitored by a professional service and are not carried on board many commercial vessels.
“This means that their usefulness is limited when the master of a recreational vessel is required to raise the alarm in an emergency or to communicate effectively.”
Victorian boaters can have their say on the proposed changes to the Marine Safety Regulations 2022 here.
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