RACV Calls For More Practical Training
The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) is calling for more practical training for recreational boat operators after a survey of insurance data showed Victorian boaties were ‘their own worst enemies'The July 2005 to June 2006 figures showed claims where no other party was involved topped the count by a significant margin, constituting more than 50 per cent of all Victorian claims.
“RACV Insurance received 226 claims for damage being done where no other party was involved, with most directly attributable to a simple lack of boat handling experience and expertise,” said RACV Insurance general manager Susan Allen.
“The potential for injury and serious accidents could be greatly reduced if new boaties, or those returning to the water after an absence, took the time to do some basic boat handling and seamanship training.”
Volunteer Coast Guard commodore Ray Campbell said the relatively high number of such damage claims came as no surprise, as there was no current requirement in Victoria for any practical boat handling training before obtaining a licence.
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