Conducted two surveys at the local boatramps at Batemans Bay.  More than 50% of vessels are towed by out of state vehicles.  Punt Road boat ramp before and after Christmas was full and people had to prepare vessels in the road. 

The majority of vessels were jet ski.  All disappointed no washdown facilities.

Clyde street boat ramp 80% full of vessels destined to fish up the river.  Disappointed they could not wash their engines out after travelling in river - concerned that they may contaminate other estuaries. 

Hanging Rock was coping rather well with the increased volume and extra floating pontoons.  Parking working well except a number of cars without trailers taking up valuable space.

All vessels using washdown ignored water restrictions stating "why water restrictions when the dams are full?"  Sign is too small at location.

When surveyed all boat owners had never used the local toilet (they have onboard facilities)   Not a single person  had ever used an onsite BBQ or pick-nick facility at any NSW boat ramp.

All respondents want more floating pontoons if no beach adjacent and clear road marking showing preparation areas and washown facilities.

 Why is it that the Bega Valley Council see the value of the sea and their estuaries and the Eurobodalla Shire Council does nothing with this valuable asset and the attraction it has to locals and visitors?

Here is a further example of what they are doing in Merimbula Boardwalk along with the foreshore enhancement at Bermagui harbour.

Have a look and ask why not us?  Then remember to pressure the new Councillors to direct the GM and her Directors to apply for funds to enhance our foreshore.

https://begavalley.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp...

 Punt Road Boat Ramp progressing

Again this is not fake news neither is it some political spin but just progress by John Holland to finish the new bridge contract.

The questions to be asked is will the new boating environment along the northern shore of the Clyde River be better than we had before this concrete four pile in the river monstrosity was built?  Short answer no but why?

In the old days we had a boat ramp paid for by Boating Now funds taken from the boat licences for NSW boaters and fishers.  It was “upgraded” a few years before the bridge construction was started by the local Eurobodalla Council and the car park was resurfaced, a BBQ shelter and seating was installed and new shiny stainless steel steps were added so the infermed could access the beach.  The fish cleaning table stayed the same as did the boatramp itself.

The boatramp had one major advantage in that is was adjacent to a beach so people could launch their vessels and secure it to the beach when they parked their trainers.  It had one major disadvantage in that due to its location the sand from the river built up on the surface and surrounds so it was not safe for non-four-wheel drive vehicles to launch at low tide.  But in general it was an easy facility to use when smaller vessel from north of the bridge wanted to traverse the upper reaches of the Clyde.

That all changed during the construction of the bridge.  Firstly Transport for NSW intermittently closed the boat ramp to all vessels during the construction phase – still closed today.  Secondly they put forward a civil roads design which must have come from someone who has never towed a boat trailer or even observed how a boatramp works.  It is a complete mess with two sets of round-abouts and a boat parking area unusable by anyone but a competent reversing experience.

Did they consult with the community?  - No. Did they receive well thought out submissions? - Yes a number,  even one on the back of cardboard container from a slab of beer.  One came from an urban designer in close consultation with the boating community – see photo.

BUT did they listen and take note – well, we will have to see but the current indications are they bulldozed ahead with their original design put forward in the Batemans Bay project Urban Design and Landscape Plan 12 August 2019.  The Foreshore Advisory Committee was led up the garden path and told this whole area would be upgraded and we would get improved facilities.  We received a visit from the State Labour Minister who came to see the proposals and to talk about what they could do behind the scenes to rectify the situation…

What did the boating and fishing community propose as a solution to this urban design.  The north flowing off-ramp come down from the highway parallel to the new bridge and meet the Punt Road at a T-intersection so that the vehicles and trailers could cross this and enter the preparation area.  Here the boats could remove the tie-down and fit their rods and oars ready to launch.  Then move forward to a special area and reverse down the upgraded wider boat ramp right into the water.  Adjacent to the ramp would be a walk-on and a floating pontoon to secure the vessel and permit less able crew to get on board while the driver parked the trailer in the designated spots.  

On returning to the boatramp the master would secure the vessel to the boatramp and then retrieve the trailer to pull the vessel out of the water.  They would then stop at the wash-down area to rinse out the engines and wash off any harmful weeds picked up while on the water so as not to transferred disease and contaminants to another waterway which may even ruin the local oyster industry.

SO what does it appear will be delivered?  Well for a start there will be no change to the actual boat ramp.  It is still narrow and will sand up.  There will be no addition of a floating pontoon for the safety of boaters.  There will be no wash-down area with available water because in Eurobodalla we still have water restrictions that forbids us washing our vessels in situ.  

There will be a torturous route to get to the boatramp with the likelihood vessel trailers will be damaged by curbs and finally there will be less parking spots than we originally had and we will now have to put on our hiking boots just to reach the new “improved” toilet block sited even further away than the original.

You may ask have the boating and fishing community benefited by the new bridge and the Foreshore upgrade plan?  In a word NO.

Have a look at the Associations web site for further lost opportunities at https://boatersassociation.blogspot.com/.../lost...

 Floating Pontoons for the Batemans Bay Foreshore

This is not fake news neither is it some politician standing on our foreshore holding a graphic depiction some promise for some future development.  This may just be the real thing – but don't hold your breath for it to be completed for this summer holiday period.

John Holland is driving in a number of piles to hold an on-ramp and some floating pontoons along the foreshore of the Bay Central Business District.  BUT it will not be completed by the end of this year according to a reliable source within the organisation.

These floating pontoons are close to the water and run parallel to the foreshore walking path.  They permit vessels and kayaks to come alongside and tie-up to access the shops, restaurants, take-away and toilets on our foreshore.  Being lower than a concrete wharf they make it easy for old and young to get into and off a vessel when they are secured to these structures.  They may also be used by a cruise ship lighter when they bring their guest ashore to spend dollars in our community.  For the boating community it gives greater access to Batemans Bay and to the young fishing group they can easily cast a line in the hope of catching their dinner.  A win-win for everybody.

The Batemans Bay Boaters Association has been campaigning for these pontoons – like a wharf but floating, ever since we were part of the new bridge foreshore advisory committee however what was proposed by Transport for NSW as part of the contract let to John Holland was the removal of the more than 50 year old dilapidated concrete wharf and the replacement with a number of floating pontoons connected via a walkway.

The whole boating and fishing community was pleased by that outcome not only because of the location but it was a great improvement to the current structure.  But then the “power-that-be” behind the scenes started to work and before we knew it we found out that a selected “consultant-engineer” had done an independent survey and found that the concrete was despite the obvious disfiguration and rust marks, the structure was sound and good for many more years.

Now, in stepped the local Council who predictably appointed an out-of-town/state consultant group to develop a strategic plan for the Bay Foreshore.  They did all the box-ticking actions like a survey, community consultation, discussion with stakeholders and finally developed a DRAFT plan which was put out for more community input and submissions.  The normal wait as we all expected some radical changes to the preliminary draft as the boating and fishing groups make well argued submission as how to improve this draft document.

The Association had previously written a document “A game changer for the Bay CBD”   https://drive.google.com/.../1fWM1Z.../view and submitted it to the Local Member and then current Minister in Charge of Transport, to John Holland and of course to Council.  It was well received although the Minister stated that he was too busy to read it himself but may be briefed by his Department.

In August 2020 Council call for presentations at one of their Meetings and the Association and many other made the obligatory 7 minute presentation and waited for the final document.  A note for those who follow Council the now ex-Mayor was not at this Council Meeting presentation but Jack Tait asked one of his more searching questions:  “Why was I not invited to the foreshore meeting?” Open your email was the answer.  Our presentation can be read here https://boatersassociation.blogspot.com/.../draft...

The draft was published and to our surprise there was a recommendation to build a new on-ramp and floating pontoons on the foreshore of the CBD.  Who would do the construction and who would pay for the structure….. the boating community does not know.  And what of the concrete wharf?  Well it will remain to be used by the local ferry and other commercial vessels for refuelling and other services.

In October 2020 Minister Andrew Constance announced that the floating pontoons would go head on the foreshore.  https://boatersassociation.blogspot.com/.../floating...

We will have to wait to be informed when the new floating pontoons will be opened and by whom.  May be the ex-local member accompanied by the ex-mayor and her entourage.

 Council Candidates Marine Infrastructure Questionnaire Score Card

The Batemans Bay Boaters Association Inc has received all of the Council Candidate group's answers to the infrastructure questionnaire sent to them two weeks ago.

The top score of 82% went to the Mayne Team with Mat Hatcher a close second on 80%. Labor was not far behind on 73%.

Pollack, Harrison and Thomson teams scored low because they did not adequately answer the questions with a simple yes for many responses. The Greens team scored poorly for supporting the closure of the Clyde Street boat ramp in Batemans Bay.

It is evident from the answers that those on the podium understood the role and responsibilities of Council in implementing and funding marine infrastructure projects. The others showed a clear misunderstanding. Not only of the importance in terms of people and money that boating and fishing brings to the Shire but who pays for the facilities.  

While the ranking is important, what is more important is the consensus and commitments made in the responses.

What comes out of the answers is the following:

    *  Universal support for the establishment of a Council Marine Infrastructure Advisory Committee.

    *  Keeping the Clyde Street Boat ramp in Batemans Bay open indefinitely – Greens opposed this.

    *  Support for cleaner storm-water run off into the waterways.

    *  Immediate removal of water restrictions for boat wash-down at boatramps. Greens opposed this.

    *  The importance of the Batemans Bay foreshore with more focus on the water and the facilities such as floating pontoons to make water access easier for all.

    *  Acknowledgement that the allocation of Council funds to all outdoor activities should be improved and boatramps have lagged behind.

    *  There is a lack of understanding of who pays for what at the boatramps.

    *  Community run vessel storage, on and off the water, is now on the table for discussion.

    *  Community consultation is imperative to change the current culture of Eurobodalla Council.

The Association would like to thank each team for taking the time to complete the questionnaire. We hope that this will be the start of a fruitful discussion and we can support each new Councillor in their endeavours to improve the current situation regarding marine infrastructure facilities and to give greater focus on promoting events, and activities on our sea, rivers and estuaries.

Any person who may wish to see the detail may contact the Association.

 Since the last post regarding the Batemans Bay Boaters Association Questionnaire we have been contacted by Candidates to ask how we are going to use the answers to the Questions posed and how the scorecard will be scored.

On the former we will be publishing the scorecard as widely as we are able prior to the elections as we did last Council election.  More importantly when an issue comes up during their term and they have addressed it in their answers we will remind them of what they said prior to the election and expect them to act accordingly.  Politicians are not allowed to change their minds and what they said maybe 15 years ago will return to haunt them!

During the current Council many ignored what they said at the previous election but that is what we came to expect from this current bunch.

The score card and scoring see below.

The Association is looking for specific answers to the questions posed and will create a score card of answers received. To assist them and their team here is the method we will use to score the responses:

Each answer will be rated out of 10 . A score of 10 is the best answer. In the first group A. a clear concise and unequivocal answer like Yes or No without quantification get top score.

The second group B. to get a top score an explanation on how it will be achieved and a timeline on achievement because this is more difficult and needs support from other Councillors and the Council staff.

The final group C. Requires a strategy to influence other entities. Here we will be looking at your “policies” and statements to see if the rhetoric is backed up by commitment.

Questions

A. When it comes time to deal with matters in Council will you:

* vote to keep the Clyde Street boat ramp open indefinitely?

* support increasing the number of floating pontoons along the foreshore of the CBD? 

* support allocation of Council funds to improve tourist and boating facilities at the local boat ramps such as seats, tables, and safety lights?

* ensure due process such as consultation with community user groups is followed by Council staff during grant application, submission, planning and implementation phases?

* support the immediate removal of water restrictions at boat ramps for the cleaning of vessels such as at Bermagui.

B. In considering future developments in Council will you support

* the establishment of a Council Marine Infrastructure Advisory Committee?

* a commensurate allocation of funds to marine infrastructure as to playgrounds, bike tracks and coastal walks? 

* increased water based promotions, events and activities?

C. As a council candidate therefore, would you support action on the following issues across the Shire:

* upgrading boat launch ramps and other boat docking facilities?

* the upgrade of rundown amenity blocks at boat ramps and installing black water pump-out facilities at the major river locations?

* establishing publicly owned and run, safe and secure vessel storage facilities, on and off the water?

* better management of storm water run-off to keep our waterways cleaner?

Questions to each Council Candidate Group or individual Candidate

 

The BBBA believes support at a local Council level is vital to achieving great outcomes into the future.  Council is the sole manager and fund receiver of these infrastructures grants such as Boating Now.

Council elections are soon to be held and our Association is taking this opportunity to seek support for "our time on the water".  We have asked each candidate to answer the questions.

Questions

When it comes time to deal with matters in Council will you:

• vote to keep the Clyde Street boat ramp open indefinitely

• support increasing the number of floating pontoons along the foreshore of the CBD

• support allocation of Council funds to improve tourist and boating facilities at the local boat ramps such as seats, tables, and safety lights

• ensure due process such as consultation with community user groups is followed by Council staff during grant application, submission, planning and implementation phases

• support the immediate removal of water restrictions at boat ramps for the cleaning of vessels such as at Bermagui.

In considering future developments in Council will you support

• the establishment of a Council Marine Infrastructure Advisory Committee

• a commensurate allocation of funds to marine infrastructure as to playgrounds, bike tracks and coastal walks so more people can enjoy our great waterways, lakes and sea on the South Coast.

• increased water based promotions, events and activities to attract more people to the South Coast waterways.

As a council candidate therefore, would you support action on the following issues across the Shire

• upgrading boat launch ramps and other boat docking facilities such as public wharfs, floating pontoons and fish cleaning tables

• the upgrade of rundown amenity blocks at boat ramps and installing black water pump-out facilities at the major river locations
  

• establishing publicly owned and run, safe and secure vessel storage facilities, on and off the water

• better management of storm water run-off to keep our waterways cleaner.

We will share the candidates comments with our members and your potential supporters.

Maritime Safety Plan 2026 survey

 Maritime Safety Plan 2026 survey

https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/.../complete-a-survey1

The survey closes at midnight Friday 24 September.

Please complete the survey and add comments when given the option.  

If you dont like either Option A or B then do not complete these question and answer Question 11 Other which will give you the chance to express your opinion.

For example why must you wear only lifejackets  that meet Australian Standard  (AS 4758); or the International Standard (ISO 12402) ? 

What about a wet suit or a dry suit or even a survival suit?

Have you say BUT take the time to express your opinion at all opportunities.

Maritime Safety Community Consultation Live stream

 If you attended the Centre for Maritime Safety Community Consultation Live stream at 6:00 pm on Tuesday 14 September - few people actually did, then the following data or was it statistics, were presented:

*  131 boat fatalities over the 10 year to June 2020 They claim 79 were preventable and that 56 were in vessels less than 6 m

*  There are 1/2 million NSW recreational boat driver licences 12 years and over (adults)

 *  260,000 registered vessels (excludes SUP, Kayaks - on and in, rowing sculls and others)

 *  There are 56,000 registered vessels between the length of 4.8 to 6 m (the new limit)

 *  170,000 "safety" interactions undertaken place (I think in the previous year?)

  *  42,000 compliance audits

  *  13,000 fines/court attendance issued (Value of these is not given but may be between $1/4 to $1 million)

The data did not identify cold water shock deaths because this was grouped (if even identified and recognised by some local ambo or doctor) into drowning because that was the only appropriate box to tick.  This gives a false impression of the data.

 Neither did it identify if the body had suffer a stroke, heart attach or a medial event.

The fundamental unanswered question which is central to their drive of "Lifejackets save lives"  is how?  A lifejacket only gives the wearer additional flotation.  It will not save your life if you are far from help in cold water.  It will not notify the authorities that you need help.  In some circumstance it is a real disadvantage - trapped in or under an overturned vessel, trying to climb back into a high sided vessel or even stop you and others from pull you into a liferaft, Steber rescue vessel or over the flotation pontoons of a rescue RIB.

Maritime is looking to "simplify" the regulation to find a one size fits all silver bullet which as we all know is just the marketing spin.

The Association strongly support the appropriate use of the appropriate lifejacket - not only those with Standards Australia labels.

Do you have an experience or knowledge where the wearing of a lifejacket did not save the persons life?

This link will give you an idea of the dangers of being at sea? 

 Would a lifejacket have saved their lives?

https://www.maritime-executive.com/.../vlcc-s-chief-mate...

Swells in Drake Passage (file image courtesy Christopher Michaels / CC BY SA 3.0)

Maritime Survey Question 33 MSTRA??

 Have you taken the survey?

Question 33 is very interesting:

Maritime short-term rental accommodation(MSTRA) provides a new way for people to experience boating in an affordable and easily accessible way, allowing people to hire recreational boats overnight accommodation.

Do you think MSTRA should be available as a means of expanding access to boating?

ANSWER No

haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/maritime-safety

If this is to introduce people to boating it is misguided. If it is to get more money into marinas and the associated facilities it is again misguided.

Yes, this is Airbnb on water on a private recreational vessel. A boat is not a floating caravan in a park.

It is quite different from a commercial vessel for charter. The safety and documentation requirements for these vessels is extensive.

This Airbnb idea has been pushed for some time by people associated with BIA (Boat Industry Association) the commercial side of boating to get more licences and money.

Just to remind you that while in command of a vessel one has to be qualified and licensed and not drunk. This is true if moored or underway.

What if there is a fire in the marina or the boat is about to sink or they failed to turn off the cooking gas and an emergency situation occurred? Who will take command?

Would the same laws apply to an owner limiting the number of days one can stay on your vessel in any one location (21)? Or the number of days in any one year? I bet they would find a way round that legislation.

This came to light in 2018 as “Beds on Board” and the promoter has been pushing it ever since. Director Darren Vaux (President of BIA) then said “marina precincts would receive a welcome boost if the law is changed. Boat owners could offset the costs of ownership by renting out their vessels as accommodation.”

Introduction to boating? - did I miss that in the promotion?

The issue is, how did this question get into a Transport for NSW – Maritime survey?

 Have you taken the survey?

It is being promoted as a lifejacket “safety” survey but it is much much more.

It covers the allocation of Boating Now funds, the use of drones, retraining for your current licence and video cameras at boat ramps.

haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/maritime-safety

The Association will over the next few weeks give you some answers to the questions this Association has supplied. Feel free to cut and past and to open the discussion on what follows.

Question 29

To what extent do you think the Boating Now program has siccessfully improved maritime facilities in NSW?

Question 30

What improvements could be made to the program?

Question 30 Answers

The allocation of funds and the location of upgrades should not be solely in the hands of Councils but in licence boat users. The ramps should meet the published Guidelines and Standards. The upgrades and maintenance should be spread equally along the coast based on local and regional licence and boat numbers. Ramps should be grouped into usage rates (H, M & L) and a schedule of upgrades and maintenance introduced controlled by a local representative body. Boating Now should allocate Capital Costs for construction then Maintenance for real maritime improvements not local tourist facilities such as BBQ, Street lights and resurfacing car parks which should be the responsibility of the local Council. All proposals, design and sign-off should have the local boating community or body sign-off not some select (yes minister) group.

What do you think? Can you add more to this question if so post below or email the Association.

As every good politician knows “Take the survey” and vote early and often.

Maritime Survey

 NSW MARITIME INVITE YOU TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON LIFEJACKET REFORM

This could be the most controversial survey Maritime has conducted if it gets a good valid response. So take the time to answer for all those in you family group ie multiple times who hold a boating licence.

NSW Maritime have invited the community to have its say on two options to simplify and expand lifejacket requirements on NSW waterways, as part of the draft Maritime Safety Plan 2026.

Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said more than seven out of 10 people presumed drowned in recreational boating incidents, over the 10 years to 2019–20, were not wearing a lifejacket.

“Lifejackets are without a doubt the most important piece of safety equipment for survival in boating incidents where people are forced into the water,” Mr Constance said.

“We want to hear from NSW boaters on the two new lifejacket options that have been developed, because we need to make the law easier for people to understand and save more lives on our waterways.

“The draft Maritime Safety Plan 2026 will outline the NSW Government’s plans for maritime safety over the next five years, and support our goal of zero boating fatalities and serious injuries by 2056.”

The first option would require mandatory wearing of lifejackets by adults on vessels less than six metres when underway, and at all times for vessels less than six metres when boating alone, on alpine waters or between sunset and sunrise.

The second option would require the mandatory wearing of lifejackets by adults on vessels less than six metres in enclosed waters when underway, on all vessels in open waters in the open area of the vessel when underway, and at all times when boating alone, on alpine waters or between sunset and sunrise.

Under both options, children under the age of 12 will be required to wear a lifejacket at all times on a vessel less than six metres in enclosed and open waters, and in the open area of a vessel greater than six metres that is underway in enclosed and open waters.

Centre for Maritime Safety Chief Bernard Carlon said the draft plan builds upon the achievements of the previous Maritime Safety Plan 2021, and incorporates the Safe System approach, which focuses on safe people, safe vessels and safe waterways.

“Each year, more than two million people explore our beautiful NSW waterways by boat and other watercraft, and we want to ensure they can continue to enjoy this popular activity in the safest possible way,” Mr Carlon said.

“The proposed changes to lifejacket rules are designed to be simpler and easier to understand for NSW boaters, with the goal of driving increased wearing of lifejackets to save lives.

“Both options being proposed will save lives on NSW waterways and support our ultimate goal – to get to zero fatalities on NSW waterways by 2056.”

To have your say on the draft Maritime Safety Plan 2026 and the proposed lifejacket reform options, visit haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/maritime-safety by 24 September.

 Fishing & Boating in Lock-Down

On the 17 August NSW Marine area Command made the following statements on their web site

All New South Wales including Greater Sydney:

Recreational boating and fishing is allowed BUT....

• You must remain in your LGA or, if you need to go outside of your LGA, up to 5km from your residence.
• Coastal Waters are included in the adjacent LGA or to anyone living within 5km. Police will treat coastal waters out to 3 nautical miles.
• A person cannot travel along a water system outside of their LGA or further than 5km from their residence to reach coastal waters
• A person may be on that main body of water but cannot travel through or past other LGAs to reach other rivers, estuary’s or open sea.
• You must always be within your LGA area, 5km from your residence or if applicable coastal waters connected to your LGA.

In Declared Areas – ie Sydney LGA

• You must always be within your LGA area, 5km from your residence or if applicable coastal waters connected to your LGA.
• In a Declared Areas “recreation” is no longer a reasonable excuse to be away from your residence.
• General boating is considered “recreation” and is NOT allowed
• Fishing from a vessel or on land is permitted as it is considered “exercise” and therefore allowed.
• Sailing, jet skiing, water skiing or other physical activities would be considered “exercise” and is allowed
• You must always wear a mask when outdoors.

The instructions are clear in most cases but try to understand what “General boating” is compared to “Sailing” and or “jet skiing”

Within the Eurobodalla it is very simply: STAY AT HOME except if you are going fishing within 3 nm in Coastal Waters (See below) BUT take your recreational fishing Licence, a rod and a reel. On a sailing boat (ie one which is underway via wind power but not motor assisted then you are OK. So dont motor across the bar except if you have your fishing licence and a hook attached to some line – fishing tackle.

Dont go outside the LGA and dont try to go out to sea past the Coastal Waters limits during this lock-down.

Now lets look at rules and regulations regarding the “high sea” etc

The Public Health Act which is the one the NSW Government is using to try to stop the COVID virus until 20 August 2021 only applied to the land and not to the sea – below the relevant water marks high or low. So you did not need to comply but last week they introduced a significant changes.

Public Health (COVID-19 Additional Restrictions for Delta Outbreak) Order (No 2) 2021 under the Public Health Act 2010

They added:

1.5 For the purposes of this Order, the coastal waters of the State are taken to form part of the local government area to which the particular waters are closest.

Now there are various references to Coastal Waters in the Acts and regulations but it is generally known as: Coastal Waters is a belt of water between the limits of the Australian States and the Northern Territory and a line 3 nm seaward of the territorial sea baseline. Jurisdiction over the water column and the seabed is vested in the adjacent State or Territory as if the area formed part of that State or Territory. This was introduced to cover gas and oil rights on the northern states.

Just to give you some reference to know where you “stand”.

Territorial sea, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, is a belt of coastal waters extending at most 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) from the baseline (usually the mean low-water mark) of a coastal state. The territorial sea (includes its seabed and subsoil, and to the air space above it) is regarded as the sovereign territory of the state.

An Exclusive Economic Zone (those with a commercial Master ticket will know this) extends from the baseline to a maximum of 200 nautical miles from the land. A nation has control of all economic resources within its exclusive economic zone, including fishing, mining, oil exploration, and any pollution of those resources.

Why was this regulation required? Because the Coastal Waters (State Powers) Act 1980. states “coastal waters of the State” means, in relation to each State

(a) the part or parts of the territorial sea of Australia that is or are within the adjacent area in respect of the State,…

Now this Act does not cover the restrictions imposed by the COVID regulations but only fishing, sea-bed and other things.

However this Act does not cover COVID movement restriction but only fisheries and the sea-bed so the Authorities needed to add the section 1.5 referred to above.

What happens when you travel outside the Coaster waters zone after lock down is any-ones guess.

We will leave the issue of "open waters" and "enclosed waters" for another time. - ie what safety equipment is required and where this is defined. See a previous FB post of the Association if you ever get fines for non-compliance.

Final word: Stay at Home until the numbers drop.

COVID-19 testing at Hanging Rock Boat Ramp

 Southern NSW Local Health District will close the Hanging Rock Boat Ramp from 8am-4pm Saturday and Sunday to undertake COVID-19 testing at a pop up clinic.

From past experience cars with boat trailers will be denied access to the boat ramp and forced to wait in line to reach security who then turn them back. (Reported on social media)

What is going on?

A spokesperson from the Council state "we can not use an oval because they are being used this week end? We control that area so we chose it"

Why is the Hanging Rock boat ramp been used? Maybe fishing and boating is not considered recreation or is it just the attitude of this individual to marine infrastructure?

The one good news will be the public will see the very poor public toilet facility at this location. The door does not lock, the glass window is broken and the seat is damaged. So if you want to use this facility and be tested please bring your own portaloo because you would not want to use the one provided to boaters and fishers.

Communication from Council:

I also confirm that:

- the Hanging Rock site is the only suitable site in the Bay for an operation of this scale

- there are no plans to open a testing clinic at Apex Park Narooma or other boat ramp areas as Health NSW are working with us to identify other suitable sites in other main towns, should those be required.

"We ask that fisher people (sic) work with the remainder of the community throughout this pandemic"

If you have symptoms, have come from a COVID lockdown area then get tested but respect the people around you and be careful of vehicles and trailers.

Aids to Navigation and Lights

 Aids to Navigation and Lights are a vital safety features of our waterways

Light houses and sector lights have played a significant role in highlighting dangers and guiding seafarers out of harms way but their significance has been reduced with a resident lighthouse keeper being almost a thing of the past. However the lights shining in the darkness will remain for the foreseeable future a guide to a safe passage past dangerous pitfalls.

Navigation aids such as cardinal marks, isolated danger marks, port and starboard channel marks have an uncertain future especially with the widespread introduction and acceptance of the AIS (automatic identification system) technology and modern digital charts.

Even today Australia has virtual AIS cardinal marks which do not exist in our real world and only appear on AIS and Radar systems and as virtual buoys on our charts. Yes, there are Cardinal Marks indicating dangers in a position and safe passage opposite. They have distinctive black top marks and at night, the south mark flashes a quick white light 6 times followed by a long flash every 10 seconds such as the South Cardinal Mark off Acheron Reef here in Batemans Bay.

But what of virtual South Cardinal Marks? Do they exist and do they flash at night. No, you will not see one from your boat – day or night. They only show on your AIS system or chart plotter. Just take a look on your system such as Navionics at the Five Islands group off the outer harbour of Part Kembla and you will see two virtual cardinal marks. How do you know? They have a pink circle around them and are transmitted from a shore station. I can tell you they don't flash a light at night neither do you need to worry about crashing into then in the day or night.

So what of aids to navigation in the Clyde River channel here at Batemans Bay.

We all know the red channel mark at the end of the rock-wall which guides us past that danger as we enter the bay river at night. The next red beacon (a pole with light) is along the rock-wall at the entrance to the regional boat ramp at Hanging Rock and opposite it at the channels edge is a green starboard buoy.

Further upstream is the next red channel mark at the entrance to the marina and there on the opposite wall is an equivalent green mark indicating a safe entrance to this facility.

Why is there no similar green mark at the entrance to the regional boat ramp you may well ask? Well it takes time to motivate the powers that be to place this vital safety feature in position. In 2015 the Association requested this light and the two Cardinal Mark at Acherton Reef. Only after a vessel was damaged while traversing the area did we get some action and the cardinal marks were placed but the entrance light was never placed on the to-do list.

Good news the Euro Fishing & Boating Network has, as one of its important short term goals, to reactivate this safety issue and the Association has been informed that both the local Boating Safety Officer and the Regional Operations Manager have committed to push this issue along as fast as they are able. That is very good news along with the acceptance that this network is able to raise and have safety issues considered.

We look forward to the same communication taking place between the Council, MIDO and Transport for NSW.

Eurobodalla Fishing & Boating Network

 The inaugural meeting of EFBN

A group of fishing and boating clubs came together at the Catalina Club on Sunday to form the Network namely:

• Batemans Bay Bowling Club Fishing Club,

• Batemans Bay Soldiers Club Fishing Club,

• Batemans Bay Game Fishing Club,

• Narooma Sportfishing and Game Fishing Club,

• Narooma Bowling Club Fishing Club,

• Malua Bay Fishing Club,

• Tomakin Sports Club Fishing Club,

• Bateman Bay Boaters Association Inc

It was a great meeting of like minded individual with a common goal. The draft Objectives and Goals is out for comment but is shown here for those Clubs who may wish to join to consider.

Objectives

To promote fishing and boating in the Eurobodalla through the sharing of information, ideas and initiatives.

The Network is a body of volunteer and non-commercial entities that came together to promote the goals and interests of the fishing and boating community.

To maintain the individual organisation’s independence but to facilitate a simple contact point from and to Government, Council and semi-government bodies for clear communications, consultation, negotiation and information sharing.

Goals of the Network are:

• To promote effective consultation and communication between all government bodies and the Network and our members
• To promote the installation and maintenance of marine infrastructure for all to enjoy
• To facilitate our communities recreational time on and close to the water
• To promote safe boating and fishing for all participants
• To advocate for navigation and safety aids, facilities and installations within our recreational area
• To encourage children and the less able to participate in the activities we promote
• To encourage sustainable fishing practices
• To pursue and secure the rights of our community to free access to the public waters and resources of our area.

Tactics and Action Plans

A number of actions were initiated at the inaugural meeting. Some have been implemented while others will come to fruition later. The delay in the local Council election has set back some initiatives while the lockdown has fostered others.

The details of progress will be communicated via the Network's communication and other media.

Hanging Rock Progress - Communication from Council

 Hanging Rock Progress - Communication from Council

The Association received a progress report on the Hanging Rock Boat Ramp from the Eurobodalla Works Engineer. We appreciate this communication and congratulate him and others on moving forward. He mentioned that this project since the Ministers announcement has had five false starts!

The progress so far is two new wooden surfaced floating pontoons have been attached to the end of the northern pontoon. This has potential and a number of cleats have been added – some need to be moved. The pile is still unclad.

Short white road lines have been added to the top of the boat ramp which is a start. The light near the cleaning table has been upgraded as has those at the wash down area.

Here are the commitments:

• Boat rigging area - There will be upgrade work undertaken.
• Fish Cleaning Table Shelter - Council has received a grant from the Fisheries Trust to construct a Shelter over the fish cleaning tables.
• Lighting - two solar lights to be installed on the second end pontoon pile of each pontoon structure.
• Cleats on pontoons – Council has ordered them.
• Southern pontoon edging damaged – Council has engaged a contractor to replace them.
• Northern Pontoon Canoe, Kayak and less able access – Council will install a low level pontoon and a sign to alert users of this pontoon.
• New lines and reflectors at boat ramp – Council will complete the works.
• Wash down area taps – To be looked at and maybe an addition tap.
• Wash down area kerb – Agreed to remove a portion of the concrete kerb at the wash-down facility.
• Cleaning table taps - Brass fittings taps with lengths of hose will be fitted on a trial basis.
• Exit tie down area – to be considered as part of traffic flow plan.
• Saltwater tap at fish cleaning tables - Not trivial to implement will consider in future project.

This boat ramp is the main regional boat ramp used by over 80 vessels on a good day during the Christmas and Easter holiday periods. The recreational sea area in the vicinity is ideal for locals and tourist to enjoy. Unfortunately it has been neglected for years and many visitors have moved further south to Moruya and Bermagui or even north to Ulladulla.

Since the fires the number of vessels purchased in the region has risen dramatically as has the number of people moving out of the cities looking for a more enjoyable lifestyle. This precinct could become a gem on the coast and a standout feature to attract visitors, to just enjoy a day on the water, to hold regattas and competition.

The boating and fishing community looks forward to working with Council during the concept and planning phase to make this become a reality.