Holiday safety reminder
Tasmania’s summer holiday period is one of the busiest times on our waterways. With more people boating, paddling and swimming, it is important to take a few extra minutes before every trip to prepare correctly.
Check the weather and tides, make sure your vessel is registered, and ensure all required safety equipment is onboard and in good working order. Also, make sure you let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
Most incidents on our waterways are preventable with basic preparation and a little planning going a long way to keep everyone safe on the water.
All Tasmanian vessel registrations will expire on 31 December 2025, unless they have already been renewed.
Registrations can be quickly and easily checked through the MAST online portal. This portal is also the best place to confirm your details are up to date and to renew your registration if required.
VHF Radios, help is just a call away
A VHF marine radio is one of the most effective safety devices you can carry on your boat. It allows you to receive weather updates, communicate with other vessels, and call immediately for help if something goes wrong.
VHF marine radios work when mobile phones often do not, particularly offshore or in remote areas where there is no mobile coverage. They also allow you to broadcast distress messages that can be heard by nearby vessels and rescue authorities at the same time.
If you carry a VHF radio, make sure it is switched on and set to channel 16, and that you know how to use it before you leave the ramp.
New ACCESS-C VT layer on Windy.com
Boaters can now access the ACCESS-C VT weather model directly through Windy.com.
Because of its high resolution, ACCESS-C VT can provide very detailed outputs. However, it is important to remember that it is still a single weather model. At times, the timing of wind changes may be earlier or later than forecast, and wind gusts or rainfall can appear in the wrong location, particularly if showers or thunderstorms are misplaced.
Meteorologists at the Bureau of Meteorology use ACCESS-C VT as one of several tools to help shape official forecasts and warnings.
Boaters are reminded to always check the Bureau of Meteorology website or app for the official forecast and any current warnings, which are produced using a wide range of models, observations and expert analysis.
The “CTV” domain refers to the Victoria–Tasmania region, which is the area covered by this high-resolution model.
ANZSBEG Responsible Boat Ownership Campaign
MAST is supporting the Australian and New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group’s (ANZSBEG) Responsible Boat Ownership campaign this summer.
The campaign focuses on reminding us of our shared responsibility on the water. This includes knowing the rules, maintaining your vessel, respecting other waterway users, and making safe decisions every time you head out.
Responsible boat ownership helps reduce incidents, protects our waterways, and ensures everyone can enjoy their time on the water safely.
ANZSBEG Responsible Boat Ownership Campaign
Infrastructure update
Opossum Bay
An upgrade to the Opossum Bay boat ramp has now been completed, with the ramp widened by 2.5 metres and extended by 4 metres. These improvements make the Opossum Bay facility more user-friendly, particularly at low tide.
The upgraded Opossum Bay boat ramp
Sisters Beach
Final approvals have been obtained, and a contractor has been appointed for a new concrete landing stage at Sisters Beach. Works are scheduled to commence after Easter 2026, with completion expected by the end of June 2026.
Millbrook Rise
Improvements at Millbrook Rise have recently been completed, including the installation of a new 21-metre pontoon and a 3.3-metre concrete abutment on the northern side of the boat ramp. The new pontoon complements the existing pontoon on the southern side of the boat ramp.
Lake Crescent
A contractor has been appointed to construct a new timber walkway at the Lake Crescent boat ramp. Works are scheduled to begin in late February 2026, with completion expected by early April 2026.
For more information visit mast.tas.gov.au
