2
NEWS
New EPIRB rules in WA
Coronial inquiry into boating tragedy prompts new rulesAll skippers navigating more than two nautical miles off WA's metropolitan coast will need an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) from January next year.
Department of Transport (DoT) Marine Safety General Manager David Harrod said the Metropolitan EPIRB Exempt Zone extending from Garden Island to Mindarie Keys and out to Rottnest would be abolished.
Mr Harrod said from January 1, 2014, new consistent State-wide marine laws would require skippers throughout WA to carry an EPIRB when operating more than two nautical miles from the coast or more than 400 metres from an island located more than two nautical miles from the mainland shore (in other words Rottnest as pictured above).
Mr Harrod said recent improvements in EPIRBs had seen authorities question the continued operation of the exemption zone.
“New generation EPIRBs provide exact location coordinates greatly enhancing the chance of rescue and survival in an emergency on the water,” Mr Harrod said.
“EPIRBs can significantly reduce the time it takes to rescue people and on the water this can be the difference between life and death.
“The cost of the potentially life saving device is also significantly less now with the cost of carrying an EPIRB, which has a six-year battery life, less than $5 a trip if a vessel is taken more than two nautical miles offshore 10 times a year on average.
“Removal of the exemption zone also reduces confusion amongst skippers by providing consistent boundaries for mandatory carriage of an EPIRB throughout WA.”
In February last year, the State Coroner recommended the reduction or removal of the EPIRB exempt area after investigating the death of a man while boating off Two Rocks in April 2010.
Mr Harrod said DoT had received widespread support from recreational boating groups and relevant authorities to amend current marine laws.
“DoT recorded 85 recreational boating incidents in the EPIRB exempt zone between 2008 and 2012, reinforcing the need for EPIRBS to become mandatory to provide rapid and accurate location information to rescue authorities,” Mr Harrod said
“There is undisputed evidence that carriage of an EPIRB can save lives in an emergency on the water.”
There are now more than 52,000 registered recreational vessels in the metropolitan area and it’s estimated up to 20 per cent will need an EPIRB following the introduction of the new laws.
Currently 44,300 EPIRBS are registered in WA, which accounts for 20 per cent of the national total.
DoT has produced a special brochure to assist skippers purchasing and registering an EPIRB. Download a copy at www.transport.wa.gov.au/epirbs or contact the marine safety hotline on 1300 863 308.
Read the latest Boatsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the Boatsales Network's mobile site. Or download the all-new App.
Tags
Share this article
Written byBoatsales Staff
See all articlesStay up to dateBecome a boatsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todayDisclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Contact
Advertise with us
International marketplaces
Consent
Download the boatsales app
