After being sent home by the Water Police from being anchored in my yacht (alone) in Port Phillip Bay yesterday, I got this pic from a friend today.
They were the closest human beings to me (they stood from me in their boat) since I left home in the morning.




So, l guess I'm going to be an armchair sailor for a while
regards to all,
Allan

It looks like in NSW Fishing has been classified as be passive exercise so is now allowable

"I have received advice from the office of the Hon David Elliott MP that the ban on recreational fishing has been overturned.Legal advice has just been issued confirming that fishing has been classified as passive exercises and therefore as long as social distancing and public gathering rules are complied with it can continue.This is a win for commonsense and will no doubt make a lot of people very happy.
The overall advice for people is to remain at home unless it is necessary but if you need to fish, you are now able to do so."
Source: Sonia Horney MP Facebook Page.

So if we tow a lure does that make it ok? It would be easier if they would just classify sailing as passive exercise.

One NSW MP did just advise when I messaged them that sailing is ok with no more than 2 people on the boat. Apparently there is a media release coming today I would suggest querying sailing with your MP's on Facebook so we don't miss this window of backflips.

Look, I have daily contact with my elderly parents (them and the wife are the only live people I've seen for 10 days) and I'm borderline in the danger group so I'm not going to do anything that remotely puts them and me in danger however I went for a walk at lunchtime and saw 9 people walking past during that walk. Rowing out to my boat and tinkering I see ZERO people from when I leave home to when I return, so it's got to be better!

I think that common sense will and should prevail, crowded boat ramps and likewise crowded surf breaks will be the target of official intervention, but less frequented areas as Jethrow points to, you would imagine aren't going to get much attention.
Ps. Delivery crews aren't recreational boaters and they seem to be taking advantage of the conditions ......

fishmonkey said..
sadly it's torpedoed my ideas of getting all those pesky boat jobs done!

it should be OK in NSW to go down to the boat if it's on a mooring ... it's your exercise, can't see how they can argue with that

Ramona said..
In NSW you are now allowed to go fishing. Just make a point of not gathering around boat ramps and use only your local ramp, no traveling. If your going out to your mooring just carry a fishing rod. Not sure about sailing though the marine rescue crowd does not want people sailing offshore. There will be no one to rescue them!

You did mean rescue the "marine rescue" Ramona?

Just be careful about using the "going fishing" excuse, they might ping you for not having a fishing license!

nswsailor said..

Ramona said..
In NSW you are now allowed to go fishing. Just make a point of not gathering around boat ramps and use only your local ramp, no traveling. If your going out to your mooring just carry a fishing rod. Not sure about sailing though the marine rescue crowd does not want people sailing offshore. There will be no one to rescue them!

You did mean rescue the "marine rescue" Ramona?

No, that would be unkind! The problem is most of the members are very old and doddery and at great danger of the virus.

NSW Police Minister has ordered recreational boating to be removed from the banned activity list. Social distancing rules still apply so as long as we all do the right thing it will remain off the banned list

TKNick said..
NSW Police Minister has ordered recreational boating to be removed from the banned activity list. Social distancing rules still apply so as long as we all do the right thing it will remain off the banned list

Good point - As long as we all do the right thing and a few idiots don't spoil it for all

Ramona said..
No, that would be unkind! The problem is most of the members are very old and doddery and at great danger of the virus.

Which members, those of the sailing fraternity or the marine rescue fraternity?

Trek said..

troubadour said..

TKNick said..
NSW Police Minister has ordered recreational boating to be removed from the banned activity list. Social distancing rules still apply so as long as we all do the right thing it will remain off the banned list

Good point - As long as we all do the right thing and a few idiots don't spoil it for all

Troubador please post link. I want to go out on boat and would like to have it on hand in case I get pulled up, thanks

From 31 March 2020 NSW Government Public health directions have been updated requiring people to stay at home unless they have a 'reasonable excuse'.

However, as there is on land, there are exceptions that apply on water.

If you go out social distancing rules always apply - at the boat ramp and on your boat.

You should only be on your boat alone, or with no more than one other person; or with family who ordinarily live in the same household as you.

A 'reasonable excuse' to use your boat could be to: exercise (e.g. kayaking/sailing/paddling etc);fish;get to and from work, where the work cannot reasonably be performed from home;get groceries; andprovide assistance, care or support to an immediate member of the person's family. Unless you have an essential need to be out - stay ashore. If you do need to go out, stick to your local waters, and do not gather with more than 2 people unless with members of the same household. It is important to remember that the self-isolation rules apply at all times. Packing up your boat for a road trip and a half day fishing expedition is also not in the spirit of the restrictions. Skippers are always responsible, generally this is applied to safety equipment, keeping proper look out and proceeding at a safe speed. For the latest information on coronavirus and current restrictions, members of the community are encouraged to check the NSW Government website (nsw.gov.au) for regular updates.

There ya go Trek

you can find a PDF of the actual document on the RMYCPH website here:

www.rmycph.com.au/app/uploads/2020/04/Maritime_Update_COVID19.01.pdf

and the NSW Maritime Facebook page is here:

www.facebook.com/nswmaritime

Hey SB,
have you got a link to the Qld confirmation that we can also go sailing?
cheers