Heading offshore? What you need to know
Easter is a popular time of year for Tasmanians to head offshore in search of elusive game fish. Before planning a trip, it is important to understand what additional safety equipment is required that you may not normally carry.
In Tasmania, coastal waters include areas more than two (2) nautical miles from shore on the north and east coasts between Cape Grim and the South East Cape, as well as all waters on the west coast – except for Macquarie Harbour and Port Davey.
Safety equipment
When boating on any coastal waters, always test your navigation equipment before leaving the shore and ensure that you have the required safety equipment onboard:
- a VHF marine radio
- an EPIRB
- a first aid kit
- drinking water
- parachute flares
- radar reflector
- lifebuoy and a heaving line if the vessel is over six (6) metres in length.
The above-listed safety items are mandatory. Please take a moment to check that everything is in good working order and up to date, and that your first aid kit is fully stocked.
Weather
As always, checking the weather should be part of your ‘trip planning checklist’ before you head out. Away from the coast and offshore, conditions can change unpredictably and quickly. If the weather deteriorates, it is likely there will be limited or no locations nearby to take shelter.
Do not forget, returning home safely is always the best fishing story.
Please remember, if you are taking family or friends out to join you on a fishing trip, you are responsible for them. By making sure you have all the right equipment gives you and your crew the best chance of returning to shore safely should things not go to plan.
Quick link – Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania
Safety Spotlight – Lifebuoy
No matter what size your boat is, small or large, it is always best practice to carry a lifebuoy as it is one of the most effective safety equipment items on board any vessel.
Should someone fall overboard, throw them a lifebuoy immediately to help them stay afloat. By doing this, they will have the support they need to remain buoyant while they wait until the vessel manoeuvres to rescue them from the water.
In an emergency, every second counts. On board, lifebuoys must be stowed where they can be accessed easily and used as soon as needed – not stored away out of reach in a locker.
There are a few types of lifebuoys including commonly used life rings and horseshoe-shaped buoys. Large inflatable fenders or a large piece of foam can also be used as a floatation device if needed (if there is no lifebuoy available). Whatever you use for a lifebuoy, ideally it must be designed to float and easily thrown.
Everyday items that are often on-board boats, such as insulated iceboxes, are not designed to be thrown or used as a rescue flotation device. These items do not meet safety requirements and should only be used for their intended purpose such as keeping your catch on ice.
New boating videos coming soon
Over the years, MAST has created a library of over 90 boating safety videos. The collection of videos has been curated to educate users of Tasmania’s waterways about boating safety and rules and to demonstrate practical tips such as how to launch a boat from a boat ramp.
Each year, MAST reviews the collection and adds videos to keep the information relevant and engaging. Recently, to update some of the older videos, the MAST team filmed new videos in both the north and south of the state and topics covered include:
Weather – what you need to know about weather patterns, what they mean and where to find this information.
Diving safety – what you need to know about diving regulations, appropriate signalling flags, currents, and water traffic considerations.
Boating alone – what you must do including planning of your trip, telling someone where you are going and when you expect to return, carrying a communication device, and attaching your kill switch.
MAST’s new videos will be published soon, so keep an eye on MAST’s YouTube and social media channels for their release. What you learn from them will make your next trip safer and more enjoyable.
Reminder – Have you registered your vessel
All Tasmanian vessel registrations expired on 31 December 2025. To make sure boat owners are compliant, MAST is taking this opportunity to remind owners that unregistered vessels must not be operated in Tasmania.
Before heading out, please take a moment to check your vessel’s registration status on the MAST Portal and if the vessel’s registration has lapsed, renew it immediately.
Keeping your registration current not only meets compliance requirements, it also helps authorities quickly identify a vessel in emergency situations. An unregistered vessel could also affect your insurance coverage.
DECKEE
However you enjoy Tasmania’s waterways – boating, fishing, sailing, or paddling – DECKEE is a free app that can help you enjoy your time on the water safely.
DECKEE can:
- help you plan your trip
- alert you of weather warnings
- see beneath the surface with underwater bathymetry map
- share your GPS location
- log your journey
- and much more!
Infrastructure update
Image: Birdseye view of the Boomer Bay jetty extension.
Boomer Bay
Construction of a 12-metre extension to the timber walkway connected to the Boomer Bay jetty has been completed. This addition has improved access for users of this facility by increasing the berthing capacity for vessels.
Gordon Jetty
Tenders have been sought for the replacement of the Gordon jetty and required dredging. Works are expected to be completed in late in 2026.
Lake Crescent
The building of a new timber walkway at the Lake Crescent boat ramp continues and the project is expected to be completed in time for Easter.
Sisters Beach
A contractor has been appointed to construct a new concrete landing stage at Sisters Beach. Works are expected to begin after Easter 2026, with completion by the end of June 2026.
Save the date and keep up to date
In 2026, AGFEST, Tasmania’s leading agricultural showcase is on from 7 – 9 May 2026 and again, MAST is presenting the MAST AGFEST Boat Show. So, save the date and MAST look forward to seeing you there – Corner Main and Seventh Streets, AGFEST, 415 Oaks Road, Carrick.
