I just heard from another yachtie that you now need insurance to sail the reef in Qld , can't find Anything on the net about it .
Any one heard anything about this?

Have not seen anything official but there has been discussion for extra cover to provide for removal of any wreck from the GBRMP for some time now.

Well, you can see why. This is a new wreck that's appeared on Digby Island, probably from Debbie in 2017. Still here, I guess, because no-one is willing to pay to have it cleaned up. You can see batteries scattered around the wreckage in the foreground, which will pollute the reef once they break open and expose the contents. And there is a string of flotsam above the high water mark from one end of the bay to the other.

^^ This is another example of people who abuse their right to use our waterways.

El cheapo, not seaworthy and when it goes wrong they get rescued and tell their "hard luck" story to the press.

I am all for seaworthiness inspections before a vessel may be registered and if the vessel is not brought up to seaworthiness the owner legally required to remove the vessel from the waterways.

Australia wide there are too many dungers floating around. If these are removed from the waterways maybe the boat market will change for the better and those that wish to sell their vessels that comply to seaworthiness rules could achieve a sale price that truly reflects their real value.

More than 2 cents worth. It is about standards in our society.

I am going to speak with my state and federal elected members about it.

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cisco said..
^^ This is another example of people who abuse their right to use our waterways.

El cheapo, not seaworthy and when it goes wrong they get rescued and tell their "hard luck" story to the press.

I am all for seaworthiness inspections before a vessel may be registered and if the vessel is not brought up to seaworthiness the owner legally required to remove the vessel from the waterways.

Australia wide there are too many dungers floating around. If these are removed from the waterways maybe the boat market will change for the better and those that wish to sell their vessels that comply to seaworthiness rules could achieve a sale price that truly reflects their real value.

More than 2 cents worth. It is about standards in our society.

I am going to speak with my state and federal elected members about it.

MMMM, Don't think The Great Nanny State we live in needs MORE FKN REGULATION Cisco.

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cisco said..
^^ This is another example of people who abuse their right to use our waterways.

El cheapo, not seaworthy and when it goes wrong they get rescued and tell their "hard luck" story to the press.

I am all for seaworthiness inspections before a vessel may be registered and if the vessel is not brought up to seaworthiness the owner legally required to remove the vessel from the waterways.

Australia wide there are too many dungers floating around. If these are removed from the waterways maybe the boat market will change for the better and those that wish to sell their vessels that comply to seaworthiness rules could achieve a sale price that truly reflects their real value.

More than 2 cents worth. It is about standards in our society.

I am going to speak with my state and federal elected members about it.

This already happens in NSW. Local boating officer has this power. I have seen one steel boat condemned while on the slips. Craned off and disappeared on a semi.

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cisco said..
^^ This is another example of people who abuse their right to use our waterways.

El cheapo, not seaworthy and when it goes wrong they get rescued and tell their "hard luck" story to the press.

I am all for seaworthiness inspections before a vessel may be registered and if the vessel is not brought up to seaworthiness the owner legally required to remove the vessel from the waterways.

Australia wide there are too many dungers floating around. If these are removed from the waterways maybe the boat market will change for the better and those that wish to sell their vessels that comply to seaworthiness rules could achieve a sale price that truly reflects their real value.

More than 2 cents worth. It is about standards in our society.

I am going to speak with my state and federal elected members about it.

I agree with you Cisco, far too many vessels around that are pollution risks or risks to other vessels and/or the owners themselves.
However here in Qld where there are 10's of thousands of unroadworthy and dangerous vehicles on the roads because we don't have compulsory annual inspections, I don't see much hope in getting regulations in for boat seaworthiness certificates...
My 2 cents also.

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QLDCruiser said..
Well, you can see why. This is a new wreck that's appeared on Digby Island, probably from Debbie in 2017. Still here, I guess, because no-one is willing to pay to have it cleaned up. You can see batteries scattered around the wreckage in the foreground, which will pollute the reef once they break open and expose the contents. And there is a string of flotsam above the high water mark from one end of the bay to the other.

This one is not from Debbie. According to reports at the time (late July 2017), an elderly man living alone on board had a heart attack during a wild night. No family to hit up to clean up the remains, so the authorities have left it there. Many visitors have picked through his belongings and most of the easier stuff has been moved above the high tide line. The keel and transmission are just too heavy to move without machinery.

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EC31 said..

QLDCruiser said..
Well, you can see why. This is a new wreck that's appeared on Digby Island, probably from Debbie in 2017. Still here, I guess, because no-one is willing to pay to have it cleaned up. You can see batteries scattered around the wreckage in the foreground, which will pollute the reef once they break open and expose the contents. And there is a string of flotsam above the high water mark from one end of the bay to the other.

This one is not from Debbie. According to reports at the time (late July 2017), an elderly man living alone on board had a heart attack during a wild night. No family to hit up to clean up the remains, so the authorities have left it there. Many visitors have picked through his belongings and most of the easier stuff has been moved above the high tide line. The keel and transmission are just too heavy to move without machinery.

Sad. Poor old bloke