Australian Sailing's Advocacy Work With Government and Industry

Many of the day-to-day activities of Australian Sailing goes to providing indirect support to recreational boat owners, either through supporting the club framework of which many are a part, or by ensuring the rights and interests of the boating community are properly represented. This brief summary highlights some of the specific activities that go to ensure the recreational boat owner continues to enjoy their freedom afloat. Those with a genuine interest should read the Strategic Plan for Australian Sailing.

General Representation

Australian Sailing represents the interests of all clubs and sailors- whether racing or recreational boat owners to a number of government and statutory authorities. These include:

The Australian Search and Rescue (AusSAR) Consultative Council

An arm of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) AusSAR is the coordinator of Search and Rescue throughout Australia, around the coast and many miles offshore. AusSAR was the body that responsible for the coordination of the many rescues which resulted from the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Through the Consultative Council, Australian Sailing contributes to the policy and direction of AusSAR on behalf of the boating community. Issues being addressed include the changes to the monitoring of HF Radio as a result of the changes in maritime radio communication and strategies to change the standard for the 406 EPIRBs to reduce the likely cost when the existing 121.5 beacons are phased out (by 2009).

The Australia and New Zealand Safe Boating Education Council (ANZSBEG)

Consisting mainly of representation from those responsible for boating safety in each State and Territory (normally Department of Transport or equivalent) the organisation exists to coordinate boating education. Australian Sailing is a full member of ANZSBEG. Australian Sailing continues to promote the message of 'education and not legislation' in relation to boating safety. With licensing becoming more likely, Australian Sailing will be coordinating a campaign to ensure that licensing is not simply a fund raising instrument for government and that there is some educational benefit. There must also be mutual recognition of license throughout Australia.

National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC) Industry Forum:

The NMSC is a statutory body consisting of representatives from the each state and territory. Australian Sailing is represented on the Industry Forum that considers and has input into issues coming before the MNSC.
Recently Australian Sailing has made direct representation regarding the standards for safety equipment for small boats and the minimum competencies for the handling of small powerboats. This work is ongoing.

Standards Australia

Australian Sailing is represented on a number of the Standards Committees including those responsible for the development of new standards for harnesses and lines, PFDs, flares, anchors, electronic charts and the small boats code.

Court representation

Australian Sailing was legally represented at the Coronial Inquest into the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. This helped to ensure that the recommendations that resulted were measured and resulted in no greater impost of yachting than was necessary. Representation and the subsequent activity resulting from the recommendations has cost Australian Sailing an estimated $140,000 which was funded from Australian Sailing reserves. The collective cost to recreational and racing yachtsmen could have been many times greater.

Marine Environment

Increased interest in the environment is generally positive for the boating community. However some developments are of concern and must be closely monitored. Australian Sailing is represented on a number of groups and has had input into the Commonwealth Oceans Policy. The monitoring of environmental issues is perhaps the fastest growing area of Australian Sailing's general activities.

NSW Ministerial Maritime Advisory Council

NSW Recreational Vessels Advisory Group (RVAG)