News release - New boat marking regulations

[QLD_Fisheries]

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/news/newsreleases/13595.html

The information contained in this document is distributed by the Queensland Government for information purposes only. All reasonable steps have been made to ensure the information is accurate at the time of publication. For more information visit the DPI Fishweb site at http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb

[imported_admin]

New boat marking regulations

New boat marking regulations for Queensland’s commercial fishing vessels have been introduced to make boat identification quicker and simpler.

The regulations are part of a range of new legislation recently introduced affecting commercial operators, recreational anglers and the charter boat industry.

Department of Primary Industries Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) superintendent Rod Supple said boat markings were similar to a car registration and were used to identify a vessel and its operator.

Mr Supple said under the new legislation boat markings were larger and had to be clearly visible both from above and the side of the vessel.

He said this had been a problem in the past, particularly with small boats.

“Importantly under the new legislation there are no special provisions for boats under six metres and they now have to comply with the regulations for vessels under 10m,” he said.

“The new regulations will streamline the process and also make it much easier to identify a boat out at sea.”

The new rules include:

* For boats under 10m, markings must be at least 20cm high and between 2cm and 2.5cm wide;
* For boats between 10m and 25m, markings must be at least 30cm high and between 3.5cm and 4cm wide; and
* For boats greater than 25m, markings must be at least 45cm high and between 6 and 6.5cm wide.

Mr Supple said the new regulations applied now to new boats but owners of existing boats had until December 1 to conform.

“As the majority of boats in the fishing fleet are under six metres, most licence holders will need to check the size of their current markings and re-mark with the bigger size where necessary,” he said.

Mr Supple said any commercial operator who had questions about the new boat marking regulations should contact the QFS Licensing Unit on (07) 3225 1850 or their local QBFP office for clarification.

For more information about the range of new fishing regulations, visit the Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb or phone the DPI Call Centre on 13 25 23.

[Kerry]

had to be clearly visible both from above and the side of the vessel.

He said this had been a problem in the past, particularly with small boats.

Small boats from above - if that's what I read is the new requirement then that's still going to be a problem #???

Cheers, Kerry.

[DR]

reading that, i think what we have now would be a lot easier to read...
if the id is 20cm high & 2cm to 2.5cm wide it will have to be like one of those kids puzzles that you have to tip the page backwards to read.
or is this how they intend to read them from above, its the same effect.mmmm

[imported_admin]

The thickness of the font (Vinyl/Paint) is to be 25mm, not the width of the entire character.

It could definately be explained in a lot better way.

This only effects Commercial vessels.

[imported_admin]

See attached image for example of dimensions

[DR]

they should state that, i realise it is a mistake from someone in a govt. dept. that has no idea of measurement, but they should check.