Queensland Regional Managers Update – May 2021

1. Clubs Conference

Club Conferences are locked in for 2021 and we are working on making it the best yet. The Club Conference schedule has been expanded to include the following events:

• 2021 QLD She Sails Networking Evening – Friday 23^rd July, starting at 6pm.
  • This is an open invitation to all of the sailing community interested in finding out more or showing your support for inclusion in the sport of sailing. Join a high quality panel and hear how sailing has positively impacted their life, any challenges and success they have experienced and what the future holds.
• 2021 QLD Clubs Conference – Saturday 24^th and Sunday 25^th July, starting at 9am.
  • We invite and encourage all club and class association committee members to attend. The conference will touch on a range of topics including child safety, retention, the new Australian Sailing Strategic Plan and provide opportunities for networking, workshops and discussion.
• 2021 QLD Club safety Forum – Sunday 25^th July, starting at 9am.
  • Included as day two of the club conference, this forum will focus on safety initiatives and discussions for clubs. Some of the topics will include Equipment Auditing, Special Regulations and safety Category Selection and critical incident response.

All events will be conducted at the Brisbane Sailing Squadron.

To register and to be kept informed please click on this link.

If you have any questions or require more information, please contact Ben Callard on ben.callard@sailing.org.au

Action item for clubs:

1. Please share this information with your committee members.
2. Please select and encourage the most appropriate club or class representative to attend.

2. Urgent attention required – Transfer of registration for Club/class owned vessels.

All club or class association owned powered vessels must be registered as either a:

Other Queensland Regulated Ship

1. Means ships that:
   1. Are less than 6 metres
   2. Carry 12 persons or fewer
   3. Operate within 15 nautical miles (nm) from land

2. Prescribed Other Queensland Regulated Ship
   1. Means ships that:
      1. That are 6 metres or more in length; or
      2. Designed to carry more than 12 persons on the ship: or
      3. Operate more than 15 nautical miles (nm) from land.

3. All boats used in connection with any commercial, government or research activity require certification under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 (the national law) (AMSA registration) to operate in Queensland. 

        Please refer to the Queensland Regulated Ships, Technical and Operational Guidelines.

It is the understanding of Australian Sailing that the majority of club and class owned vessels will be required to be registered as either an Other Queensland Regulated Ship OR Prescribed Other Queensland Regulated Ship.

It is also the understanding of Australian Sailing that most club owned vessels are currently registered as a Recreational vessel (for Private use) and this is incorrect. To prevent clubs and class associations from operating in non-compliance, Australian sailing has put together this guide to assist.

Changing the registration of your club vessels:

1. Check using the QLD Rego Check app the current registration of your vessels.
   1. Google play - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tmr.checkrego&hl=en
   2. Apple - https://apps.apple.com/au/app/qld-rego-check/id919723338
2. If vessels are not registered correctly:
   1. For Other Queensland Regulated Ships:
      1. Complete F3527 - Change of Queensland Regulated Ship Particulars Notification (Form) - https://www.support.transport.qld.gov.au/qt/formsdat.nsf/forms/QF3527
      2. Lodge at your local Transport and Main Roads office.
      3. Note: there should not be any associated fees with this process.

1. 1. For Prescribed Other Queensland Regulated Ships:
      1. Complete F3527 - Change of Queensland Regulated Ship Particulars Notification (Form) - https://www.support.transport.qld.gov.au/qt/formsdat.nsf/forms/QF3527
      2. Email to maritime_standards@tmr.qld.gov.au and await further information and instructions.

Please click here for the full guide and information.

Please note that at this stage this is still in draft as we await feedback from MSQ, however given the nature and high importance of the topic I felt it best to communicate with clubs and class associations as early as possible. We will communicate any further changes asap. direct to all clubs and class associations.

Action item for clubs:

1. Check the registration type of your vessels.
2. Undertake to ensure your vessels are correctly registered.
3. Please let Australian Sailing know if you have any problems or require more information.

3. Aquatic Event Permits

Maritime Safety Queensland has recently contacted me asking me to remind clubs, across Queensland, of the importance of obtaining and complying with Aquatic Event Permits. Key items to note:

• Ensure you lodge your Aquatic Event Application a minimum of 30 days prior to the events or series of events taking place.
• Ensure you send the appropriate money, for each application.
• Provide as much information as possible to support your safe practices and good cooperation with other waterway users.

If your club is experience issues with seeking Aquatic Event Permits, please let me know via ben.callard@sailing.org.au.

Aquatic Event Permit information can be found by clicking this link.

Please note:

An aquatic event is an organised onwater activity such as boat or swimming races, sailing regattas, waterskiing competitions or fireworks displays that are likely to affect the normal operation of ships in the area of the event. If you want to hold an aquatic event you will need to obtain an aquatic event authority.

I have recently been asked, by clubs, why Queensland Transport now require them to be listed on clubs public liability insurance policy. The reason for this is;

The requirement to have “The State of Queensland acting through the Department of Transport and Main Roads” listed on insurance has been clarified. Given that Maritime Safety Queensland is issuing the permit for the aquatic event activity we would need to be informed if a claim was being made (only for a claim linked to the aquatic event). No details about the incident would be given, it would be up to MSQ to seek further details from the applicant. 99% of cases MSQ would already be inform if there was a Marine incident involved anyway.

Action item for clubs:

1. Review your application process for aquatic event permits and ensure you are meeting the requirements of the required actions.
2. If you are facing issues applying for an aquatic event permit please let me know.

4. COVID Safe Restrictions have changed

I note that many of you may have seen a release from government about changes to the requirements for outdoor based sports to comply with the relevant COVID Safe Industry Plans. Please click here to read the full article.

As the sport of sailing, we fall under the Aquatic Industry COVID Safe Plan. As a result we were not listed in the above article and there for we did not rush to announce changes. However, I have now sought clarification from the Department of Sport and Rec. and can confirm that as our sport is carried out in the outdoors we can shift our activities to fall under the Outdoor Sport Industry Plan. This means that we no longer have to comply with an Industry Plan at this time. We must still ensure:

Outdoor based organisations and activities must continue to collect contact information, promote physical distancing and ensure enhanced cleaning processes are in place. It’s also important to note that any indoor spaces that are used as part of delivering outdoor activities, such as clubhouses, canteens etc are still required to follow occupant density requirements (e.g. one person per 2 square metres) relevant to that space. For example, a clubhouse at local sailing club must comply with occupant density requirements, keeping contact information, allowing for physical distancing to the extent possible and adhering to the public health controls including cleaning and disinfection and promoting best practice health and hygiene measures. (Please refer to the article for further information.)

If you have any questions, given the nature of the topic, I ask that you please submit them in writing to ben.callard@sailing.org.au.

I recommend that any changes a club makes to its COVID safe practices be considered by the committee and recorded appropriately for good record keep and them communicated effectively to all members and stakeholders.

Action item for clubs:

• Please share with your committee members and consider if this is a simpler way for your club to comply with the COVID Safe requirements.

COVID Safe Sailing

There continues to be changes to the COVID Safe requirements for sporting events and activities to take place. Further amendments are being made to the Industry plans.

I encourage you to read the latest advice from the Queensland Government and ensure you and your club are fully compliant.

Australian Sailing COVID-19 Information Hub.

Queensland, Industry plans for sport, recreation and fitness organisations.

Action item for clubs:

• Remain vigilant. Strong emphasis on personal hygiene and collection of contact tracing details.
• If you are unwell, stay home.

If you have any questions about these items or more, please contact one of our Queensland team members below.

Contact:

Ben Callard – Regional Manager –            P: 02 91706928                               E: ben.callard@sailing.org.au

Annie Watson – Club Services Officer –   P: 02 91706929                               E: annie.watson@sailing.org.au

Grant Willmott – Club Services Officer – P: 02 91706930                 E: grant.willmott@sailing.org.au

Alison Turner – Club Services Officer (P/T) – P: 02 91706931         E: alison.turner@sailing.org.au