Marine safety will be boosted under a raft of new reforms to Queensland’s recreational boating laws announced recently.

One of the major focuses of these reforms is enhanced night and electronic navigation training for all new licence holders.

Under the new rules instructors providing licence courses for boaties through the BoatSafe program will offer additional training covering all aspects of safe navigation.

A new boating licence class will be introduced to encourage a high standard of safety in larger recreational craft.

The new licences will not affect current recreational marine driver and commercial master licence holders or the size of vessel they can operate, either now or in the future.

The safety reforms will come into effect from January 2012 with the exception of the enhanced licence for vessel over 12 metres in length which will take effect from January 2013.

The new boating safety laws are in response to the Improving Recreational Boating Safety Discussion Paper and the findings of a number of coronial inquests.

New rules at a glance:
•Enhanced night and electronic navigation training in existing BoatSafe course.
•Extending the number of coastal bars where personal flotation devices must be worn.
•Additional safety equipment requirements for personal watercraft operating offshore.
•Higher standards for new large recreational boat operators.

Further information
http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/About-us/MSQ-headlines/Boating-safety-improvements.aspx)