Leisure Craft standard moves with the times

by NMSC on 12 Oct 2009 The National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC) has released for public comment a draft standard to replace the USL Code’s Section 18 ‘Hire and Drive’ vessels.

Responding to the wider variety of ‘hire and drive’ activities now available, the new National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part F, Section 2 – Leisure Craft aims to provide more user-friendly requirements tailored to specific types of activities.

NMSC’s Standards Team Leader John Henry said the draft standard covers a wide range of modern operations from unpowered off-the-beach craft, through to houseboats, PWCs (jetskis) and bareboat yachts.

“National data shows that most incidents involving these craft are the result of driver error so the emphasis is on safety management and the provision of an adequate briefing, especially for inexperienced and unlicensed hirers,” Mr Henry said.

“With the approach of summer and the peak tourist season, many of these operations and activities increase so it is an apt time for stakeholders to be thinking about what safety requirements should be applied through this new standard”.

The new standard considers those ‘share’ boats that fall within the definition of commercial vessels – and there are annexes on recognition of conformity assessment under the European Union system and on sewage holding systems.
The draft standard modifies other parts of the NSCV to cater for the specific risks and management approaches used with leisure craft.

“Overall, the new standard allows a more flexible approach to the range of operations without compromising safety for operators and the general public,” Mr Henry added.

Have Your Say
Copies of the document can be obtained by phoning 02 9247 2124 or from www.nmsc.gov.au – click on ‘Have Your Say’.

The comment period closes on 16 December 2009.

Workshops
Stakeholders are also invited to attend a consultative workshop in their State. Details will be announced shortly on the website www.nmsc.gov.au

The NMSC aims to achieve nationally uniform marine safety practices and is made up of an Independent Chair and the CEOs of Australia’s marine safety agencies.