The Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIAV) President Andrew Warner is delighted to report that Maritime Safety Director, Mr Peter Corcoran as well as the Victorian Coalition Government have taken steps to rectify the recent recreational vessel anchoring ban.

On Friday 14th December Mr Corcoran used powers granted under the Marine Safety Act 2010 to amend waterway rule 23B and therefore remove an unintended consequence for recreational boaters. The amendment was published in the Victoria Government Gazette No. S 437 and has been published on the Transport Safety Victoria website.

The effect of this amendment is to reduce the scope of Rule 23B and return the prohibition on anchoring recreational vessels to that which existed before July 1st 2012.

This is a great outcome for recreational boating and furthers the BIAV confidence in the Maritime Safety Directors use of broadened powers now afforded by the Marine Safety Act 2010.

While the Boating Industry Association of Victoria remains on watch for unintended consequences for recreational boaters, Andrew Warner would like to remind everyone spending summer on the water this year to keep a proper watch and stay well clear of big ships.