Victoria trials automatic fines for skippers at boat ramp
Artificial intelligence trial to recognise if boats and jet skis are in breach of marine safety lawsBoaters using Melbourne’s Patterson River boat ramps will be monitored via video as part of a trial that will look for those people who flout on-water rules.
Part of the trial is using artificial intelligence to analyse the video and work out if boaters are breaking any marine laws, although for the trial period at least, no one will be hit with a warning or, more importantly, a fine.
“As part of our commitment to improving safe behaviour in our waterways we are piloting a new camera monitoring system at Patterson River boat ramp until June 30 this year,” Transport Safety Victoria said in a social media post announcing the trial.
“The Waterway Safety Monitoring System (WSMS) captures footage of vessels and uses sophisticated software to identify if waterway rules are breached, such as: vessels breaching 5.0-knot limits, boaters not wearing lifejackets when required, irregular riding of PWCs (jet skis), and vessels entering prohibited areas.”
“TS Vic will not issue infringement notices or warnings for breaches detected by the monitoring system during the pilot program,” it said.
The Patterson River is one of the state’s busiest boat ramps. It has four ramps with 10 lanes in total for launching and retrieving boats and jet skis.
The state is fitting a number of metropolitan and regional boat ramps with video cameras trained at car parks and launching ramps that it is using to provide information to boaters.
The cameras already use artificial intelligence to count the number of boats being launched, publishing the results on the Boating Victoria website with a traffic light-style system that indicates how busy the ramps are at any time.
Boatsales has asked Transport Safety Victoria to say if these ‘smart’ cameras could also be updated with the software that detects on-water infringements.
Cameras already in use
Using cameras to monitor boaters’ behaviour on the water is nothing new. Queensland uses a network of fixed and mobile cameras, primarily at boat ramps, to identify anyone who may be in breach of maritime laws.
Likewise, NSW has used video camera technology to detect speeding infringements on the water since 2018.
How to avoid a fine at a boat ramp
- If your boat is 4.8 metres or less in length, always put on a life jacket before starting the engine. This includes while you are backing it off or on the trailer, and tying it up at the jetty.
- If you’re on a jet ski, travel to or from a boat ramp in a straight line and at a constant, slow speed.
- Stick to speed limits, particularly when passing close to other vessels. Ensure you maintain 5.0 knots until you are at least 200 metres from the shoreline. Some Victorian waterways, such as the beach around Sorento, extend the 5.0-knot limit to 500m.
- Be aware if there are places where boats and jet skis are not permitted.
- Certain types of boats attract very different fines for being in breach of on-water safety laws. Check what fines your boat is liable to be pinged for.
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