EPIRB media release

[Nete-Quette]

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[CEO]

 Information today from the NSW minister for Ports etc, Joe Tripodi, says the government is considering a proposal to make it mandatory for ALL vessels that venture more than 2 nautical miles offshore, to be required to carry an EPIRB. Currently the regulations only applies to vessels 8m or longer. (And that has caused some confusion among the states offshore recrational fishers!) Now when we consider the number of recreational vessels that are forced outside a 2 nm limit by the government's marine park zonings, a lot of us could be up for more big bucks, if the current proposal gets up. ECOfishers - keeping you informed of what is sitting on some ministers desks.

[CEO]

   You may find the answers to your questions here. If not, contact your local WATERWAYS office / officer, or email ECOfishers your query, and we will do it for you.

[CEO]

   REMINDER: All vessels that travel more than 2nm from the coast, and irrespective of length, are now required to carry the new frequency EPIRB. As from April 1st folks. An option of a radio or an EPIRB, would have been more appropriate for most rec boaties.

[ACTAngler]

I think a mandatory EPIRB is a sensible safety measure.  A radio isn't much good if your electrics have failed and you need to signal for help.  An EPIRB will work where a radio or mobile phone won't.

[CEO]

OFFSHORE FISHERS: ECOfishers has recieved another sound suggestion concerning the now mandatory EPIRB's for vessels venturing more than 2nm offshore. With the imposition of more government marie parks upon reluctant coastal communities, more and more fishers are being forced to fish further offshore. The safety issue and benefits of EPIRB's is not denied - never has been. It is obvious. The cost factor and the unavailability in some areas, is the real issue. So in typical ECOfishers innovative fashion, we have recieved a number of suggestions. This one we consider worth sharing. Your Club, or group of fishers, may purchase an EPIRB or couple of EPIRB's and share them out. If they could realistically be shared among a small group, then users may even hire them from the Club, for the time they are at sea. A Club outing would be a problem, but at times outside Club outings, they could be hired/lent to individual members. Worth considering?

[whoppa]

Why wasn't I told.....?

Jan 21 EPIRB media release regarding analogue system switch off on Feb 1.

Feb 3 Reply #1 that EPIRB MAY BE made mandatory on all vessels etc .

Reply # 3 dated April 24. ALL vessels required to carry EPIRB as from April 1.

That is nearly a month ago . Why has there been no media release, TV, Radio, Papers etc. If this is true why doesn't every boatie know...? This could be important particularly if there are to be fines for not having this safety equipment.

I believe all legislated safety gear is warranted but like a lot of weekend fishermen on a budget I cannot or will not carry an EPIRB until I have to.

[Open Oyster]

 Hey whoppa the revenue will be decreased if people are informed of changes to the law.
 Not really just appears this is the way some governments work. A sign at each and every boat ramp would be a great idea. But the Cost?

[CEO]

Whoppa, welcome to the club. NSW recreational fishers continue to be treated like second class citizens, by the current government. Kept in the dark and fed on bull---t. You didn't really expect them to consult with fishers did you? Maybe they consulted with one of those numerous "peak bodies.?"
  And if you've ever met with the Minister, Speedy Joe Tripodi, you would understand why he has difficulty looking anyone in the eye!
  It is the law now mate (since 1/4/09) and apparently is not being enforced just yet, because of the unavailability of the new EPIRB's.
  Speedy, because he used to be Minister for Roads and his parliamentary colleagues named him "Speedy," because he didn't ever, get anything done!

[CEO]

Tripodi was considering this issue in February. (Advice from his office to ECOfishers, in February.) He implemented it, at the end of March. Speedy Joe, replaces Speedy Gonzales!

[CEO]

   Now there is talk of fire extinguishers being made mandatory for all electric start vessels. No that's NOT what the mandatory bucket with lanyard attached is for. Crikey, soon we will all be towing trailers behind our boats, to carry all of Joe Tripodi's gear! He really is going out with a bang!

[whoppa]

So here we are... a couple of months after Epirbs became mandatory. Nobody seems to be able to get one.... no one I know has one. The rumour is that the vultures are going to give us six months grace because of lack of supply. Just a thought.... if some one should DIE because they have an old Epirb or don't have one because you can't get one..... can Joe Tripodi or NSW Govt be charged with failure in their duty of care to the boating public...? 

[CEO]

  Whoppa, there are lots of people who would like to charge joe Tripodi with lots of things, even those from his own Party.He is really on the nose there too because of his snout continually in the trough. I'vr got an old cranky crossbred Hereford bull that would love to charge him too.