From the AMSA office.
In a recent marine incident, a group with limited boating experience hired a Class 4 (hire and drive) vessel and beached it in a no-go area, contrary to the safety briefing.
As the tide rose, water entered the vessel. It was moved before the water had cleared, causing it to list, capsize and sink. All people on board the vessel reached safety, but no one was wearing a lifejacket.
This incident shows how quickly risk can escalate when instructions are not understood or not followed.
Your responsibilities
Under the National Law, owners of hire and drive vessels must:
- ensure hirers have the skills to operate the vessel safely, including holding a licence where required
- provide a clear safety briefing covering risks, limits and controls before they take charge
- define cruising boundaries, hazards and operating restrictions through your risk assessment
- ensure any additional vessels supplied with the hire vessel (e.g. a tender) are incorporated into the safety briefing and that hirers have the skills to operate safely.
Are your briefings to hirers clear enough? Are your safety controls strong enough to prevent this happening to your vessel?
Explore this safety lesson, and others to strengthen your safety practices.
