DECLARATION OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXEMPTION - 2018 Bridgewater Ski Development Camps

Published on 28 November 2018

PUBLIC NOTICE

DECLARATION OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXEMPTION

 

Loddon Shire Council, as the declared waterway manager for the Loddon River at Bridgewater between Flour Mill Weir and Sweeneys Lane, makes the following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic).

For the purposes of conducting the 2018 Bridgewater Ski Development Camps on the waters of the Loddon River between the Calder Highway Bridge and the boat ramp at Sweeneys Lane, from 3 to 7 December and 10 to 14 December 2018 between the hours of 7:30am and 5:00pm, persons and vessels involved in these events are exempt from the following requirements:

State Rules made under the Marine Act 1988

  1. Clause 2(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a person in the water – applies to competing vessels and rescue vessels;
  2. Clause 2(c) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of another vessel – applies to competing vessels and rescue vessels.

Waterway Rules made under the Marine Safety Act 2010

  1. Clause 62.2 of Schedule 62 – 5 knot speed restriction within waters not specified as Exclusive Use and Special Purpose Areas between Flour Mill Weir and Sweeneys Lane – applies to competing vessels;
  2. Clause 62.6 of Schedule 62 – Exclusive Use and Special Purpose Area – Slalom and Ski Jumping – applies to competing vessels;
  3. Clause 62.7 of Schedule 62 – Exclusive Use and Special Purpose Area – Water-skiing – applies to competing vessels.

Marine Safety Regulations 2012

  1. Regulation 103 – person being towed by a vessel must wear a personal flotation device – applies to competing trick skiers;
  2. Regulation 104(2) – master of a vessel must not tow a person unless the person is wearing a personal flotation device – applies to competing vessels towing trick skiers;
  3. Regulation 96(6) – master must ensure their vessel is equipped with appropriate safety equipment (PFD) – applies to competing vessels and rescue vessels with trick skiers onboard;
  4. Regulation 100(3) – person must wear a personal flotation device when on board a vessel 4.8 metres or less in length – applies to competing vessels and rescue vessels with trick skiers onboard;
  5. Regulation 104(1) – master must ensure all occupants of vessel are wearing a personal flotation device – applies to competing vessels and rescue vessels with trick skiers onboard.

Subject to the conditions detailed below:

  • Masters of competing vessels and rescue vessels are only exempt from items 1-2 when undertaking a rescue operation to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial medical or other needs and deliver them to a place of safety on shore.
  • Masters of competing vessels are only exempt from items 3-5 for the duration of the events.
  • Only persons participating in trick skiing activities are exempt from item 6.
  • Masters of competing vessels and competitors are only exempt from item 7 when towing water skiers who are involved in, or participating in, Trick events.
  • Masters of competing vessels and rescue vessels are only exempt from items 8-10 when retrieving waters skiers who are exempt from wearing a personal flotation device under item 6.
  • Should vessels or persons not involved in the events enter the exclusion zone, the events must be stopped until the unauthorised vessel or person has moved outside of the zone.
  • These exemptions apply between 3 to 7 December and 10 to 14 December 2018 between the hours of 7:30am and 5:00pm, to the persons and vessels registered to participate in the Bridgewater Ski Development Camps on the Loddon River, within the exclusion zone waters between the Calder Highway Bridge and the boat ramp at Sweeneys Lane, provided the stated safety controls and undertakings detailed in the application form and associated documentation are adhered to.

BY ORDER OF LODDON SHIRE COUNCIL

Dated:    20 November 2018

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