SECTION NO: POM 0014 POWERCRAFT OPERATIONS

OPERATIONS – INFLATABLE RESCUE BOAT (IRB)

All clubs are responsible for operating within the Queensland Transport guidelines, regulations, Surf Life Saving Queensland policies, powercraft code of conduct and relevant procedures. Failure to do so can jeopardise marine safety, therefore causing grievous bodily harm or death and may result in the operator /club being liable to criminal prosecution and civil litigation. Breaches to the powercraft code of conduct, SLSQ’s Powercraft Safety Management System or SLSQ policies/procedures will result in a full investigation of the grievous bodily harm or incident as per the SLSQ Powercraft Incident and Investigation Guidelines.

The relevant statutes contained in the Transport Operations Marine Safety Act and how they apply to the operations of IRB’s and personal watercraft/rescue water craft can be explained to any interested club or branch by a representative from the Department of Transport Maritime Safety Queensland.

The Queensland Boating and Fisheries division is the delegated authority to police Queensland’s boating and small craft rules and regulations and, as such, has the power to video tape and issue to any driver any of the following infringements:

INFRINGEMENT	PENALTY (Subject to change & reviewed annually)
Unlicensed driving	on the spot $533
Unsafe operations	To be determined by the court
Unsafe operations causing grievous bodily harm or death	To be determined by the court
Failure of club to report any incident to QLD transport within 48 hours of incident occurring	on the spot $400 (imposed on operator)
Failure of Master to report any incident to QLD transport within 48hrs of incident occurring	on the spot $400 (imposed on operator)
Owner/master fail to display correct registration numbers	on the spot $266 (can be issued to both owner and master)
Owner of commercial ship fails to register ship	On the spot $452 (imposed on club)
Exceeding 6 knots within 30 meters of people in water	On the spot $400 (imposed on operator)
Interfering with Shark Control Equipment	$26,900 (imposed on operator)

As a licenced operator/master of the ship, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are abiding by the law. Any fines imposed will become the responsibility of the operator. Surf Life Saving Queensland will not be held responsible for any unsafe operations or operations outside of core business conducted by any club member or cover any costs incurred through fines.

While operating a powercraft it is the responsibility of the crew to maintain a proper lookout at all times and have a situational awareness of your surroundings. This also includes if the powercraft is not under power or anchored.

SLSQ’s Powercraft Safety Management System

As part of our organisations operating procedures and exemptions, Surf Life Saving Queensland’s Safety Management System is made up of the following:
- SLSA powercraft training manual
- SLSQ policies and procedures
- Code of conduct
- Patrol operations manual, section 14
- Training resources
- Powercraft risk matrix

All IRB/RWC trainers are to ensure that the Safety Management System delivered as part of Powercraft training. All IRB drivers/masters must familiarise themselves with these recourses and adhere to them at all times. Stating they are not aware of the system does not exempt them from adhering to them.

All clubs/services must have the Powercraft Safety Management System accessible for their members in the club house.

POWERCRAFT LAUNCHING AREAS FOR IRB OPERATIONS

INFLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR IRBS

SELLING POWERCRAFT TO EXTERNAL PARTIES

QUEENSLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS SAFETY EXEMPTIONS FOR SLSQ OPERATORS

QUEENSLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND MAIN ROADS SAFETY EXEMPTIONS FOR SLSQ RWC OPERATORS