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State Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell is encouraging boating enthusiasts in the Shepparton District to have their say on Victoria’s new Marine Safety Regulations.

The Coalition Government has doubled the consultation period for the state’s proposed new Marine Safety Regulations which begins next week with a series of workshops around Victoria.

Mrs Powell said there are many boating enthusiasts in the Shepparton district and the Coalition Government is interested in hearing what they have to say about any changes to the regulations.

“The proposals aim to address a number of serious issues within the commercial and recreational boating industries and to make the licensing process more efficient,” Mrs Powell said.

“The proposed regulations recommend the mandatory inclusion of the unique Hull Identification Number (HIN) on any registration transfer documents to help tackle boat theft which is rapidly increasing.

“Also up for consideration is a recommendation to add an on-water skills test to the pre-existing knowledge-based test.

“Injuries to personal watercraft (PWC) users have risen 150% over the last seven years and making this change could have a really positive impact on PWC safety.”

Other changes outlined in the proposed Marine Safety Regulations include:
• increasing the penalty level that can be issued on the spot;
• reducing the frequency of licence renewal to every five years; and
• allowing modern equivalents of safety equipment to be carried as alternatives onboard vessels. For example a hand-held strobe light can be used as an alternative to red flares.

"I encourage boating enthusiasts to attend one of the regional consultation sessions or to view the proposed regulations online and make a submission so their views can be considered,” Mrs Powell said.

The submission period closes on Tuesday 11 October 2011.

The draft regulations and its related documents are available on the Department of Transport website, http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/doi/internet/home.nsf/AllDocs/AD533C463CC75785CA25784F001449D7?OpenDocument

For further information contact the Department of Transport, on marinesafety@transport.vic.gov.au