Afant News

Volunteers Wanted to Improve Boating Safety

Boaties will still have a chance to win some great prizes if they volunteer for the National Boating Usage Study by the 1st of September.

The National Marine Safety Committee is putting a final call out to boaties, asking them to volunteer for this world first study that will gather information about Australians’ boating behaviour.
NMSC CEO Ms Maurene Horder explained they are aiming to recruit 4 000 recreational boaters in order to have a representative sample of approximately 730 000 recreational vessels that are registered around the country.

”Even though we have received a great response from boaties, more volunteers are still needed for the 18 month study, due to kick off in September,” she said.

Volunteers will receive $100 off boating insurance with Club Marine and 40% off subscriptions to Yaffa Publishing’s marine publications. They will also be provided with regular study updates, boating and fishing prize draws and exclusive product discounts.

Participants will be asked to briefly fill in a boating diary between September 2008 and May 2010 with details such as the number of hours spent on the water, the location and purpose of the trip, the number of people on board, and whether the boat was involved in an incident.

To ensure that the study represents Australian boating, NMSC is inviting owners and operators of all types of recreational craft including runabouts, ski/wake boats, cuddy, half or full cabin cruisers, sailing boats, jet skis and personal watercraft to be part of the study.

“The study aims to identify high risk boating periods, and risk to boaties in terms of the number of hours spent on the water,” explained Ms Horder.

What’s involved?

1. A one-off anonymous survey on boating behaviour.
2. A Boating Diary. All information is confidential and personal details will not be identified or released.

If you would like a registration form please call the NMSC (02) 9247 2124 or go to www.nmsc.gov.au to register on-line. The NMSC aims to achieve nationally uniform marine safety practices and is made up of the CEOs of Australia’s marine safety agencies.

Thank you to study supporters Club Marine, Yaffa Publishing, yachtandboat.com.au, Boatingoz.com.au and affiliated web sites.

INPEX Drilling Program Information

Drilling Program Information

Joint venture partners INPEX Browse, Ltd. (INPEX) and Total E&P Australia will commence a nearshore drilling program around Darwin Harbour and at Blaydin Point in late August 2008.

A 50 metre safety zone will apply around the drilling vessel.

More information about the drilling program and a map of the areas where the work will be taking place is available on the INPEX website.

NOTICE TO MARINERS

SUBJECT: SURVEY VESSEL – “SAMSON EXPLORER”

The “Samson Explorer” has commenced survey operations for the proposed Inpex Gas Pipeline. This vessel will be operating approximately 30 nautical miles from harbour limits to navigation buoy 7A.

The vessel will update Darwin Harbour every six hours and will be operating in close proximity to the current ConocoPhillips gas pipeline.

The vessel will have a 50 metre Exclusion Zone and all vessels are requested to pass at a safe distance and appropriate speed.

Darwin Harbour will transmit regular notices on VHF Channel 10. Should further information be required, Darwin Harbour should be contacted or the “Samson Explorer” directly via VHF Channel 10. All vessels must co-operate to ensure safe operation for all Port Users.

PLEASE CANCEL NOTICE NW2008/15

W. Bruce Wilson
Harbourmaster
Port of Darwin