Motor Boat Safety

The Water Police are assisting the safe use of Canberra's lakes by issuing some guidence on use of motor boats. You can find the information here. Note that there are random inspections taking place, even early in the morning. Key things you need to take care of (ie don't take a motor boat onto the lake until you have these things in order): driver has a motor boat licence; boat has a permit from the the NCA; boat contains the required safety items: Required (minimum) safety equipment for Lake Burley Griffin is:

1. Sufficient PFD's. PFD's in poor condition may be considered unserviceable (ie not count) for a variety of reasons. Assessment factors include: torn covers, blackened and stained fabric (no longer bright & obvious), reflective tape that's no longer reflective, or the jacket bulk squashed wafer thin from use/abuse as a seat cushion (resulting in reduced buoyancy). On a practical note, PFD's should be "readily available", not tangled, or jammed in a location or gear sack requiring time & effort to extract.
2. Torches, with an output capable of being used as an emergency light source, need to be available, and need to work.
3. Bailers are to have a lanyard.
4. Anchors, danforth or plough type, and rope, with a length (approx 1m) of chain
5. Fire extinguisher
6. Paddle.

Both the police, and ACTRA, advise that non-compliant boats/driver stay off the lake until corrected. Motor Boat Drivers Licence Test To assist compliance with the safety mentioned above, CGGS Rowing Club has arranged a testing evening to be conducted at their boat shed at 6pm on Monday 10 October. The evening is open to coaches of other clubs as well. Please contact Dafydd on 62026456 or at for further information and booking.Licence tests can also be arranged in with the NSW Maritime Authority in Queanbeyan.

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