| Australia. Those building their own boat will have to fit Builders Plates |
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| Sunday, 19 March 2006 | |
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Legislation news: In a move to further improve the boating industry’s safety standards, owner builders will now be required to affix Australian Builders Plates (ABPs) onto boats built from 1 July 2006. National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC) CEO Maurene Horder explained that this comes as a result of recent industry consultation. “Representatives of the boating industry have been keen supporters of the ABP and including owner builders will hopefully improve construction standards.,” she said. Ministers of the Australian Transport Council endorsed the latest amendments to the ABP Standard for Recreational Boats late last year, which included owner builders being required to affix an ABP. Ms Horder acknowledged that the NMSC would need to gear up their education campaign to inform owner builders of the new amendment. “We are approaching relevant industry organisations and will be conducting forums to inform as many owner builders as we can,” she explained. “The NMSC and marine agencies will be using the boat shows again this year to educate the boating community and industry on the ABP.” Ms Horder stressed that the ABP was being progressively introduced prior to it becoming mandatory from 1 July 2006. “The states and the Northern Territory have said that they will be aiming to amend their legislation to bring the ABP into force by the July deadline.” The ABP applies to most new recreational boats including those imported into Australia and details vital information such as the maximum number of people and load allowed, engine rating and weight and, for boats less than 6 meters, buoyancy performance. Recreational boats that are excluded from having an ABP include: amphibious vehicles; canoes, kayaks, or surf skis; pedal powered boats; second hand vessels; rowing shells; sailboards or sail kites; surf row boats; hydrofoils or hovercraft; sailing vessels; submersibles; aquatic toys; personal watercraft; and inflatable boats in certain conditions. For more information and for a copy of Edition 3 of the ABP Standard, visit NMSC web site at www.nmsc.gov.au and follow the links to the ABP page. |
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 19 March 2006 ) |
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