Sailed North Haven today, Transport SA Inspectors checking board sailers and kite boarders with regards to wearing bouyance vests (pfd3's) & reg. for kite boarders. Inspectors acting on complaints, seemed like good blokes doing their job. Took names & warned us, next time $190 fine. Don't want to wear a life jacket saiboarding.

Thanks Colin. Acting on complaints ???. The wall is too crowded. I'm starting to hate going there.

sucked in.... S.A. police state!

It is time for us to work together on this one.....please pm me with any anecdotal evidence as to why it is unsafe to wear a pfd whilst windsurfing.

We are asking the kiters to do the same thing - if we can show that it is a safety risk we may be able to gain an exemption.

airush geoff said...

please pm me with any anecdotal evidence as to why it is unsafe to wear a pfd whilst windsurfing.

Not sure about it being unsafe but certainly a pain in the butt.

If your trying to waterstart in the impact zone it makes sense to do it quickly and sometimes that means swimming under the rig. What other sailing craft play in the impact zone?

Likewise if you have a ten square meter sail on top of you its a long way out while that bouyancy vest is trying to smother you against the sail.

As a function of the uni joint the sailboard is the only sailing vessel that allows the rig to sit flat on top of the water when ditched.......This makes it unique and eligible for an exemption??? IMO.

I'm all for water safety but do feel it is an excessive requirement for a bouyancy vest and the onus should be with the user not the beaurocrats.

And...surely a wetsuit should be able to account for some bouyancy. My harness also has a small amount of bouyancy. Wetsuit + harness + legal vest = big fat cork.

Does anyone have a link to the current regulations surrounding the PFD issue?

what dept actually runs the show (showing my ignorance to all things boaty here)
EDIT - Transport SA it was in the first entry - DOH!

Here is the link - I have found the regulation

www.transport.sa.gov.au/safety/marine/marine_equipment/index.asp

From the regulations on SA Parliament website - it is in the interpretation of "single Hull or recreational sailing thingy - doesn't mention sailboards directly

Version: 13.7.2009
South Australia
Harbors and Navigation Regulations
under the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993

Division 4-Rules of special application to recreational vessels
132-Life-jackets on certain recreational vessels
The operator of#151;
(aa) a vessel (other than a surfboard, surf ski or racing shell) that can only carry
the operator and no other person; or
(a) a canoe, kayak or other similar small human powered vessel (other than a
rowboat); or
(b) a mono-hulled sailing dinghy or a similar small multi-hulled sailing vessel; or
(c) a personal watercraft; or
(d) a tender vessel while it is being used in conjunction with another vessel and is
1500 metres or more from the shore,
must ensure that the operator and any other occupants of the vessel are wearing
properly adjusted life-jackets or personal flotation devices at all times while the vessel
is underway.
Maximum penalty: $1 250.
Expiation fee: $160.
132A-Personal watercraft must display notice approved by Minister
(1) A personal watercraft must not be operated in the jurisdiction unless a notice
specifying obligations of operators of personal watercraft (in a form and containing
the information approved by the Minister) is affixed to the vessel so as to be clearly
visible and legible, in daylight, from the steering position of the vessel.
(2) If a personal watercraft is operated in contravention of subregulation (1)#151;
(a) the registered owner; and
(b) if the operator is a person who is required to hold a Boat Operator's
Licence#151;the operator,
of the vessel are each guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $1 250.
Expiation fee: $160.

http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/lz/c/r/harbors%20and%20navigation%20regulations%201994/current/1994.176.un.pdf

at least the fine is slightly smaller than the one i just got threatened with. $100 000 if i set foot in the water because i was endangering the whales. lady even called the authorities

bashams, yeah day st a sloppy mess today and yest, looked like too much hard work

gunna said...

Its amazing to think and shockingly so that we have had around 80 deaths on our roads this calendar year and the toll still climbs.We drive on sub standard roads in need of repair,we face increasingly discourtious road users with increasing levels of road rage,we have hoon drivers putting their life and others innocent drivers at risk,we have millions of dollars in unpaid fines for various road offences which the government washes its hands of ,yet despite all this,which is what dept of transport should be focusing on curbing,they instead despatch an employee on weekend rates to warn you guys of a 160.00 fine for not wearing a pfd.
How many windsurfers or kiters have drowned this year in sth aus????????????
Monty python is alive and well and working at transport sa...unbelievable

That is a very cynical attitude, as much as I dont agree with the law or abide by it TBH, I do understand why we have it. The fact that a guy was supposedly dispatched to enforce it means nothing, he was probably on duty, patrolling the North Haven marina for illegal fishing, unregistered boats, unsafe trailers etc etc.....like a parking inspector he was doing his job - its a law.

Every year, for as long as I can remember this topic comes up, Goolwa is a classic example, we are warned, but still go about our business in the months afterwards,

Comparing it to road deaths and misuse of cars / hoons etc isnt really a good comparison, 1,000,000 use the road on a weekly basis vs 50 sessions in the water with windsurfers and kiters.

At least it was a warning eh?

airush geoff said...

The reason they were down there was because of an altercation between a recreational wind harnesser and a surfer a couple of weeks ago.

So bouyancy vests have nothing to do with the issue ?

The Wall is a very crowded place. It is a great atmosphere as everybody is at the same level and they are there to enjoy. .. but there are 1 or 2 *** there who act dangerously, so this does not surprise me.

HAIL said...

sharkbiscuit said...

airush geoff said...

The reason they were down there was because of an altercation between a recreational wind harnesser and a surfer a couple of weeks ago.

So bouyancy vests have nothing to do with the issue ?

The Wall is a very crowded place. It is a great atmosphere as everybody is at the same level and they are there to enjoy. .. but there are 1 or 2 *** there who act dangerously, so this does not surprise me.

dont reckon the wall is that crowded is it!! try maui!! no one wears flotation there! and not that im a expert and have no reshearch but dont think any one has died there recently!! i wore one when i was early in the learning stages but i think as you progress they become a massive hinderance!!! craxily STUPID i say!

What does 'Craxily' mean?

call me cynical divaldo,i"ll agree to that,i listen to talk back radio during the dayand that makes you very cynical of anything government orientated.
I just get sick of being so overgoverned,big brother stuff,fines for everything and do very little about things which need attention,.
It was a warning,but why bother.
he should have been warning the surfer to stop impersonating a surfer and find some REAL waves!!

HAIL said...
dont reckon the wall is that crowded is it!! try maui!! no one wears flotation there!

I'll have to take your word for that Hail :). My point was that the trigger for the crack down was bad behaviour (not somebody drowning). The northern beaches offer a safe haven (excuse the pun) for beginners. I say bring on the inspectors at these spots. Other than that, I agree with you all about these devices getting in your way and support that.

YorksBoy said...

russh in the water regulations it says a pfd must be worn once out 1500m so if you stay in closer than that distance do you need one and idlike to see them measure how far you go out cheers

I see where your coming from but that point is D) under "tender vessels - 1500m from shore" - the cut and paste may make it look like it is a seperate point.
the aa) point is the one relative to "wind craft" capable of one person wher the Dept of Transport seem to derive their rules- I could be completely wrong.

We need someone with a legal background to give us some advice on this (but I aint payin)

The question is what politician is going to make time to amend legislative regulations - just so we don't get in trouble for enjoying the sport we love.

Seriously trying to hold onto your sail and duck dive ten waves anything over waist height with a PFD on would actually put you at greater risk of getting tired and drowning (this is a typical sail at Day Street) - in waves they are dangerous - put one on and try and duck dive waves.

Just on Sunday - got caught by about six or 8 - 3 foot waves and had to hold the mast and dive to keep my board - if I'd had a vest on it would be nearly impossible - I would have no chance of diving very deep.

So what next - off to Media Mike and ask him for a change of legislation?