Charter vessels and private recreational craft at Rottnest for Leavers 09 will be targeted by the Department of Transport as part of a marine safety crackdown.

Transport Coordinator of Safety and Compliance Peter Beattie said marine officers would ensure that commercial vessels operated within the limits of their certificate of survey and that recreational craft carried the required safety equipment.

"All commercial vessels have a certificate of survey stating the number of 'berthed passengers' allowed onboard overnight and operators found to be in breach will be prosecuted," Mr Beattie said.

"Transport advises those chartering craft to check the vessel's survey details for berthed passenger numbers to ensure each person has a legal berth for their stay.

"Commercial vessels also need to be properly manned and are required to have a qualified person onboard in a position of 'command' regardless of being on a mooring, alongside or at anchor.

"While the majority of operators comply with the laws, there is usually a small number of operators found to be in breach. Unfortunately, their actions have serious safety ramifications and can severely impact on the celebrations of those onboard."

Last year four commercial vessels were found to be intending to operate in breach of their certificate of survey by not having the correct amount of legal berths for their passengers. One of these vessels was directed to return to the mainland and prosecuted for being out of survey and with safety equipment deficiencies.

Mr Beattie said the owners of recreational vessels visiting the island for Leavers 09 also had a responsibility to ensure the skipper or responsible person had a Recreational Skipper's Ticket and all the required safety gear.

"Anchors also need to be able to hold in bad weather and, while it is not against the law, it is strongly recommended that vessels are not left unattended while at anchor, " Mr Beattie said.

"It is also important that skippers observe the five knot speed limit in the various bays and anchorages around the island."

All recreational boats travelling to Rottnest are required to have all the safety equipment on board including an appropriate number of personal flotation devices (lifejackets), anchor and line, an offshore pack of flares (minimum two red rocket flares and two hand held smoke flares) and a two way marine band radio.  Commercial vessels are to comply with the safety and equipment requirements required for the issue of a valid Certificate of Survey.

Media Contact: Bronwyn Hillman 0408 098 220

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