Marine Safety Conference 2010

The sixth National Marine Safety Conference 2010 in Perth (August) attracted almost 300 delegates to a forum described by one international speaker as “one of the most exceptional and productive events that I have had the opportunity to participate in regarding recreational boating safety”.

US Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division Head Jeff Hoedt went on to further say that “as an American administrator, we are directed to study the effectiveness of other comparable programs so that we may learn from them and also share any information that may be of benefit to others – your conference did just that, and it did it well”.

Hoedt joined an international discussion panel with Irish Water Safety CEO John Leech and Canadian Fish Safe’s project manager Gina Johansen on the morning of Day Two. John Leech agreed with Hoedt.

“The Perth conference was a vibrant forum for exchange of ideas for improving our nation’s drowning and aquatic accidents prevention strategies,” said Leech.

Other conference program highlights included WA Transport Minister Simon O’Brien’s official address; concurrent sessions on commercial vessel standards, surveying, innovation, maritime law and search and rescue; and the closing session featuring Colin Chamberlain and his environmental safety propeller – the overall winning invention in ABC TV’s 2009 "New Inventors".

The conference was hosted by the National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC) and CEO Margie O’Tarpey said the engagement of delegates in all sessions was pleasing and “in particular, lively discussion followed the ‘Special risks’ and ‘Legal challenges’ sessions”.

Twenty-three marine exhibitors attended with a positive response from both booth holders and delegates. Photo SOS and/or general exhibit–First-time exhibitor Ron Smith from Sydney-based SOS Marine said they have already received a couple of orders. “I felt it was a positive outcome with all the e quiries about our new products – hopefully in a year or two SOS Marine might be a household name in WA marine business!”

John Leech was also impressed with the exhibits and innovation throughout the conference. 

“With such proactively positive sponsors and presenters I was able to view and discuss first hand cutting-edge products and services which we can use at home in Ireland.
“I hope that the many delegates who engaged with me over the few days have found some useful ideas and strategies from the Irish model,” he said.

Major sponsors Club Marine and the Western Australian Department of Transport supported the conference with assistance from Australian Maritime Safety Authority; Frequentis; NSW Maritime; Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Transport SA; Maritime Safety Queensland; Mobilarm; and the Industrial Foundation for Accident Prevention; and the Fire Protection Industry Board.

The reports’ research manager, Dr John Bentley estimated that employed Australians have the opportunity to use their boats for 124 days per year but the average boater only uses their boat for between 10 and 30 per cent of this time. “Issues related to under utilisation of boats from a safety perspective include not adequately maintaining their boats, safety equipment and boating skill and this may have an impact on marine safety,” Dr Bentley said. Copies of the National Recreational Boating Usage Study Preliminary Survey Report, Trip Diary Analysis and Executive Summary are now available on the website www.nmsc.gov.au – click on “research manuals”.

The NBUS Trip Analysis Report also found that – Boating Usage Weekends were the most popular time for boating with Saturday recording 25% of trips and Sunday accounting for 22% of trips.

Boat ramps were the most common access point for boat trips (59%) followed by private jetty or marinas (23%).

The most popular time for boating was between 6am–10am which accounted for 47% of boating trips. This was followed by the 10am–2pm time period which accounted for 26% of trips.

Boaters most commonly used their craft for between 3 and 5 hours (43% of trips) followed by 0 – 2 hours (16% of trips).

The majority of trips occurred in inlets, estuaries, bays and sheltered waters which accounted for 43% of trips. More than a third of trips (35%) occurred in open waters. Boats. The most common boat used was the cuddy/half cabin cruiser which accounted for 24% of trips. This was followed by open runabouts which accounted for 22% of trips.

The most popular size of boat used on trips was between 5 and 9.9 metres in length (55%). This was followed by boats less than 5 metres in length (29%).
Fishing was the primary activity on 54% of trips with cruising the primary activity on 24% of trips.

Incidents
During the 18 months of data collection 343 incidents occurred, representing 1% of boating trips. Almost two-thirds (61%) of incidents had occurred within the first two hours. Find out more Highlights of conference presentations and photo gallery will soon be posted on the Web- www.nmsc.gov.au click on “News and Events”.The National Recreational Boating Usage Study Preliminary Survey Report, Trip Diary Analysis and Executive Summary are already on the  site.