Early bird offer for safety conference

THE national Marine Safety Conference 2010 program has expanded to include a "flotilla" of industry-based discussion panels, the official launch of the national Boating Usage Study final report and post-conference forums in recreational boating and marine surveying.

Themed "Safe Passage to a Marine Nation", the conference is hosted by the National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC) and takes place in Perth from 22-24 August – with additional forums on 25 August.

CEO Margie O’Tarpey said there has been a positive response so far from both presenters and delegates: “however, the expanded program warrants a lengthier ‘Early Bird’ registration offer”.

“On behalf of the conference committee, I’m pleased to announce an Early Bird extension until 18 June so that as many stakeholders as possible can take advantage of the discount rate to be able to participate in this major maritime event,” she said.

“Special discussion panels with topic experts have been formed on sustainable fishing, marine surveying and the Navigation Act as well as the plenary panel on the future national approach for the maritime sector.

“We are excited to officially launch the national recreational Boating Usage Study report at the conference gala dinner and we’re planning for a couple of local boater volunteers from the study to come along to represent the 2,000-strong pool of volunteers who participated right until the end of the 18-month research.

“The national study is a world-first, tracking thousands of boater volunteers via their trip diaries and delving into the link between the amount of time spent on the water and the occurrence of incidents and accidents.”

A free half-day forum on 25 August, organised through the Australian and New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group (ANZSBEG), will interest both its members and the general boating sector. Issues on the table include marine radio communications, PWC "anti-hoon" legislation and community education.

The Australasian Marine Surveyors Institute (AIMS) is also holding its bi-annual meeting on 25 August in nearby Fremantle to take advantage of the conference program.

O’Tarpey urged delegates to catch the international marine safety experts from Canada, Ireland, the US and New Zealand.

“For most of these speakers, the conference will be their only Australian port of call – in particular, Jeff Hoedt from the US Coast Guard is focusing on this conference,” said o'Tarpey.

The conference is proudly sponsored by Club Marine; Department of Transport WA; 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.

For program, registration and exhibitor information: Phone (02) 9247 2124 or go to www.nmsc.gov.au click on the MSC 2010 icon on the homepage. Note: Early Bird discount offer closes 18 June.