cisco said...

I am sure it is a doable thing with a shallow draught. I am also sure it would be a MAGIC experience if you could spend a week or two in the lagoon.

Before you do it though, just check the GBRMPA maps to see exactly what the zoning is and the rules that apply.

These quasi autonomous authorities do have the power to confiscate your vessel in particular circumstances.

I have heard some scary stories of court cases in which the offence was the matter of just one fish. Hearsay, yes, but be cautious.

Were I you which I am not, but if I were, I would not be ringing them up to find out what you may and may not do. Whatever the question, they are sure to say no. If they say no and you go ahead and do it, your bum is in the sling.

This particular area is quite sensitive for the university types who seem to control GBRMPA and QNPWA.

Marine Parks publish quite detailed map and info packs that are available for free at many marinas and chandlery shops. So the protocol is that no one has the excuse of being ignorant of the rules.

If you are anchored in an environmentally sensitive area and get bailed up by the enviro cops and are able to produce one of their map packs and say "Here it is Porky, and this is the way it reads to us.", they really do not have anywhere else to go.

A matter upon which the enviro cops might try to breach you on the rules is sewerage.

There is a very important point of law here that all cruising sailors need to note.

Your vessel is your place of abode or residence and as such no government employed person or any other person has absolute right of entry.

Your yacht is your home!!!!!!

If you get quizzed about your sewage sysytem, just say that you have a "non discharge system" which is what they want to hear.

As I said in the previous post, if you go in and hopefully out again, we would all like to know about it, complete with pics and GPS reference points.

I am confident you are going to do it. Cheers Cisco.

badinfluence said...

Hhhhmmmm....yeah....I think I got the gist of Cisco's message. BTW, thanks again Cisco.....you're always a font of sound advice.

We have a holding tank which we use on a routine basis in Moreton Bay....plus a backup porta potti just in case s..t hits the fan. Too much information maybe LOL.

We are very conscious of being gentle to the places we go and not destroying what we came to enjoy.

Thanks for the reiteration and watch this space for news/pics when we get there.

Hooroo for now
Trace