Who can say a boats safe?

[poor_mans_barra]

Hi all, Just continuing along the safety theme.
We all know(in NSW ) that you need to get a pink slip to register your car. This being a basic check over of your car for condition and safety of your car. But what about your boat? Is there any goverment criteria that you have to pass for your boat to be safe or is it simply the opinion of your local marine shop.We all know how opinions differ.
I know some people think that when they get a pink slip for boatcoding that this is a statement that their boat is seaworthy.
But this is simply for registration.which now leads to insurance, who's opinion would they take to say that a boat was safe/seaworthy? and what documented proof do you have to say so? We have a list of safety equipment you must have on the boat, but not for the boat itself.I have seen steering cables held by cable ties and transoms flexing. I know it should be up to the owner to keep he's boat safe but as long as it starts and gets back to the ramp most don't seem to think twice about the rest of the boat.

Look forward to your comments.

PS I am talking about NSW

Regards

PMB

[Spaniard_King]

A lot of focus these days is on "Duty of Care" This is the way they have gone in QLD.

Its the skippers responsibility to ensure his boat is seaworthy and he is responsible for all those oboard.

Can you imagine forkin out X amount of $$ every month for someone to say your boat is right to go ::) ::). I say everymonth as it dosnt take long for a poorly maintained boat to go to sh!t.

regards


Garry

[stevedemon]

Hi pmb

mate safety of a vessel whether it be in N.S.W or where ever should be a priority for the owners of these vessel.
we spend money on our motors, electric's, Safety gear, Marine Radio's and upkeep of trailers it should also be the responsibilitie of the owners to make sure the vessel is in top sea worthy condition by both visual and by making sure there are no cracks soft spots as for trying to introduce a safety certificate well i'm unsure have many transport workers would know any thing about Boats then you have the ones moored at mariniers have seen a few that i personally would not step on to little known go any where in them

mate nowadays you can take your boat to a mechanic and have him look at the motor and electric's then you can also take it to certain places to have them check the hulls or they will come to you you can also if you need to spend big money have your vessel x-rayed if you are that way inclined there are ways to make sure that your vessel is sea-worthy or in need of repairs but on a most basis that the ernst come back to the owner to make sure that it is reliable and if purchasing a vessel then the same thing comes back to both the seller and the purchaser to make sure these vessels are check for safety and yes this is one thing i will agree if selling a vessel the same certificate should apply but them it comes back to whom

Cheers ;D ;D
Steve 8-) 8-)

[poor_mans_barra]

Thanks for the reply Spaniard and steve. I am not saying i want to see inspections all the time, can do with out the extra cost. I understand its the owners responablity but the owner only knows as much as he is taught.Someone new to boating who has bought a second hand rig is usually only given the instructions on how to start it and where to put the fuel.to get a licence all he does is a test on safety gear, nav etc .
The piont i am tyring to make is if he took it to a marine shop is there a criteria list they have to follow for seaworthyness or do they simply give their opinion from experience on its condition.
Untill the owner gains experience over time they have to rely on someone to assure them their boat is safe.


PMB

[Roughasguts]

I reckon a boat is only safe, when it's sitting locked up in your garage.
Soon as you add water, wind and waves and a few big rocks nothing will make it completely safe.

[Spaniard_King]

PMB,

I hear what your saying, I suppose the best way to learn is to take small steps.

You could take you boat to the dealer or call a mobile guy and get them to run over a few realistic things for you to look out for.

you could also take a few charters with small operators and ask them, they are usually a wealth of knowledge and you may puic up on some fishing ideas as well

there are speacialist guys who do courses like bar crossings. they go into alot more than how to go over abar. I am sure you could come up with a heap of questions for them. Bill Corten is a guy in the brissy area who does courses like this.

You can always just make a few short local trips and work up to long trips

cheers

Garry

[steveg1100]

I can see how some people will require someone to check the boat to confirm that it is seaworthy. There are however others that are very competent and know their boat and its seaworthiness better than any boat mechanic doing a one off inspection. It would be terrible if we went down the path were you require pink slips like cars. That would be another expense and would would be unfair on the boaters.

Having said that there are idiots out there with no idea and who unless forced to ensure their boat is seaworthy will not bother.

You can't win can you..

[marlinqld]

IMHO it is down to the master of the vessel. Short and Sweet


Mike