Published Sunday, 13 January, 2008 at 07:00 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Changes aim to boost luxury boat safety
Improved safety is being proposed for an increasing number of Queenslanders buying into boat share schemes.
Maritime Safety Queensland has released an information paper for boat owners and others involved in multi-user schemes advising of the necessary safety standards and legal requirements applicable to these boats.
Transport Minister John Mickel moved to reassure ordinary boat owners who have jointly purchased and operate private vessels that they were already complying with the law.
He said the proposal aims to apply existing legislation to properly identify shared ownership arrangements as opposed to boats which are operating commercially to protect boaties and to ensure fair and equitable requirements across the boating community.
"Over the past five years, percentage growth in boating registration has outstripped population growth in Queensland by more than two to one, with vessels over 10 metres growing at a rate of more than 10 per cent annually," he said.
"Boat share schemes are an increasingly popular choice for people wanting to use high end, luxury vessels, either through ownership or by buying regular usage rights.
"Our bareboat and hire and drive industries are subject to stringent commercial registration and operating requirements that are underpinned by safety.
"It is important that these requirements also apply to all commercial operations to ensure these same high levels of safety are met."
MSQ has released a Boat Share Policy Information Paper which explains the application of Queensland's marine safety legislation to the various shared ownership and commercial operations that are currently in place across the State.
The Boat Share Policy Information Paper is available at www.msq.qld.gov.au or by phoning 3120 7345. Comments are invited until 29 February, 2008.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944
January 13, 2008
Maritime Safety Queensland has released an information paper for boat owners and others involved in multi-user schemes advising of the necessary safety standards and legal requirements applicable to these boats.
Transport Minister John Mickel moved to reassure ordinary boat owners who have jointly purchased and operate private vessels that they were already complying with the law.
He said the proposal aims to apply existing legislation to properly identify shared ownership arrangements as opposed to boats which are operating commercially to protect boaties and to ensure fair and equitable requirements across the boating community.
"Over the past five years, percentage growth in boating registration has outstripped population growth in Queensland by more than two to one, with vessels over 10 metres growing at a rate of more than 10 per cent annually," he said.
"Boat share schemes are an increasingly popular choice for people wanting to use high end, luxury vessels, either through ownership or by buying regular usage rights.
"Our bareboat and hire and drive industries are subject to stringent commercial registration and operating requirements that are underpinned by safety.
"It is important that these requirements also apply to all commercial operations to ensure these same high levels of safety are met."
MSQ has released a Boat Share Policy Information Paper which explains the application of Queensland's marine safety legislation to the various shared ownership and commercial operations that are currently in place across the State.
The Boat Share Policy Information Paper is available at www.msq.qld.gov.au or by phoning 3120 7345. Comments are invited until 29 February, 2008.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944
January 13, 2008