Page 10 - Bush 'n Beach Fishing magazine

TRecreational boating in Queensland during COVID-19
HE Queensland Govern- incidents may potentially take the people on board. This involves ment has announced a three- longer to respond to. Volunteer ma- trip planning, ensuring the vessel is stage plan for a COVID-safe rine rescue organisations and Mar- fully serviceable, having the appro-
Queensland, allowing more travel, itime Safety Queensland continue priate safety equipment, keeping a
more activities and larger gather- ings. From 11.59pm Friday, May 15, recreational water-based travel of a radius of up to 150km from your home for day trips was permitted. This also means you are allowed to visit Fraser Island, Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island for day trips, permitted the island is within a 150km radius of your home. Social distancing
to provide a marine distress emer- gency radio watch on marine VHF channels 16 and 67.
Skippers safety
proper lookout and proceeding at a safe speed.
Live-aboards
Social distancing rules always apply – special attention must be paid at congestion areas like boat ramps and refuelling points. Addi- tionally, there are the unnecessary contact risks you may create if you need assistance when out on the water, so for those venturing out, prepare well before leaving home. Important to note
Skippers are advised to notify a family member or close friend of their trip, including the route they intend to take, their destination and an estimated time of return, with instructions to call 000 if they do not return within a given period.
Queensland Health has advised that people who live on board their boat as their home may continue to do so but should stay within a primary place. The Chief Health Officer provides some guidance on the definition of primary residence and recreation in the latest home confinementdirection.
Please be aware all agencies and rescue groups are following the Chief Health Officer’s directions within their own work areas. All emergencies will be dealt with as a matter of priority, but less urgent
Skippers are reminded that a number of entities may have spe- cific restrictions in place for their local areas, with information avail- able on their respective websites. These may include recreational areas such as dams, lakes and weirs, closure of camping areas within Queensland national parks, state forests and recreational ar- eas, access to some remote and indigenous communities including islands, and local government-op- erated marine facilities.
The advice from Queens- land Health is you return to the location you departed from at the end of your recreational activity each day. You are able to travel within 150km of the vessel’s prima- ry location for recreational purpos- es. However, you are not currently able to cruise along the coast to relocate to another location, unless you need to for a permitted purpose.
Skippers are always responsible for the safety of their vessel and
Information is subject to change based on the latest advice from the Chief Health Officer. Find the latest advice at covid19.qld.gov.au
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Page 10 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2020
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