anyone got the inside run on what will happen after the "trial expemtion" rules for tow surfing finish in april ?

for those who don't know, current rules are below:-

This exemption only applies to persons who are at least seventeen years of age while conducting Tow In Surfing activities using Personal Watercraft within offshore surf breaks consistent with the activity of Tow In Surfing. It does not apply to motorised surfboards or kayaks. It does not apply to any gazetted water ski, PWC restricted or prohibited areas. It does not exempt any person from compliance with any other maritime legislation including speed restrictions and The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972.
This exemption is subject to the following conditions—
1. PWC operator and the person being towed must hold a Recreational Skippers Ticket (RST).
2. Towing is limited to only one person at a time.
3. Tow In Surfing activities must not impede the safe passage or navigation of any other craft and must give right of way to all other aquatic activities.
4. Tow In Surfing activities must maintain a minimum distance of 45 metres away from any other Tow In Surfing activities and 200 metres from all other aquatic activities (swimmers, paddle surfers, other vessels, persons on the shore).
5. Tow In Surfing activities can only operate between the hours of Sunrise and Sunset.
6. Each PWC conducting Tow In Surfing activities in any area is to be equipped at all times with—
• All safety equipment as required under the WA Navigable Waters Regulations 1958
• A rescue sled for each operating PWC with a minimum size of 90 cm wide, 1.2 m long and 7 cm thick and equipped with a minimum of 5 grip handles. The use of the sled is not to exceed the load capacity recommended by the manufacturer
• 2 x kill switch lanyards, one to be worn on the wrist or attached to the PFD of the operator and the other to be wrapped around the handlebars of the PWC
• A Marine Band Radio which has an effective range of coverage for area of operation
• A suitable quick release floating tow rope
• A suitable bow tow line
• A suitable first aid kit
• Dive fins, mask and a safety knife in a readily accessible location
This exemption is valid to 6 April 2010 unless otherwise revoked.
DAVID HARROD, General Manager Marine Safety

cranky said...

Would like to see them enforce the 200m rule, it's more like 20 m at the moment.

+1