For those that may have missed it, DoT have released the results of their rules review, and likely changes to them:


www.seabreeze.com.auhttps://transport.wa.gov.au/imarine/safety-equipment-review.asp

worth a look if you like to travel more than 400m off the beach offshore, they have changed slightly for the better with regards to having to carry flares. Provided we are carrying a PLB, instead of flares we'll now be able to carry a far less dangerous signal light to attract attention to ourselves at night, in the event of an emergency.


i'd like to say thanks to Tim and windsurfing WA for going in to bat for us through the process, i believe its the (volunteer) work of windsurfing WA that has seen some sense and relevance remain/ come into play for the rules and us.

Silly rule. 400 meters means you now need to wear an approved vest at most wave spots in WA. As discussed before wearing a life vest in big surf is more likely to cause harm than save lives.

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stehsegler said..
Silly rule. 400 meters means you now need to wear an approved vest at most wave spots in WA. As discussed before wearing a life vest in big surf is more likely to cause harm than save lives.

I agree....I suggest WWA take this up with the authorities again. I don't see surfers required to wear approved vests at the same wave spots, and it is ridiculous to require windsurfers to do the same at the same wave spot and patently unsafe. How many people need to die or suffer serious injury and harm before the rule aligns with commonsense and safe practices ? I think back in the 1980s windsurfers were strictly speaking required to carry anchors offshore (of course no one did) but thankfully that changed after some years...perhaps more recently than I recall. Hopefully eventually the authorities will see reason. Thanks WWA for the effort here.

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Subsonic said..
For those that may have missed it, DoT have released the results of their rules review, and likely changes to them:


www.seabreeze.com.auhttps://transport.wa.gov.au/imarine/safety-equipment-review.asp

worth a look if you like to travel more than 400m off the beach offshore, they have changed slightly for the better with regards to having to carry flares. Provided we are carrying a PLB, instead of flares we'll now be able to carry a far less dangerous signal light to attract attention to ourselves at night, in the event of an emergency.


i'd like to say thanks to Tim and windsurfing WA for going in to bat for us through the process, i believe its the (volunteer) work of windsurfing WA that has seen some sense and relevance remain/ come into play for the rules and us.

Just me or is there a problem with the link? Cannot find it on the website either (not the greatest). Can anyone point me in the right direction.

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Clue Thirst said..

Subsonic said..
For those that may have missed it, DoT have released the results of their rules review, and likely changes to them:


www.seabreeze.com.auhttps://transport.wa.gov.au/imarine/safety-equipment-review.asp

worth a look if you like to travel more than 400m off the beach offshore, they have changed slightly for the better with regards to having to carry flares. Provided we are carrying a PLB, instead of flares we'll now be able to carry a far less dangerous signal light to attract attention to ourselves at night, in the event of an emergency.


i'd like to say thanks to Tim and windsurfing WA for going in to bat for us through the process, i believe its the (volunteer) work of windsurfing WA that has seen some sense and relevance remain/ come into play for the rules and us.

Just me or is there a problem with the link? Cannot find it on the website either (not the greatest). Can anyone point me in the right direction.

Whoops, my bad. Try this one, then click on the link in the OP:


www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/New-safety-regulations-in-Western-Australia?page=1#4

Afternoon all, we hear you and have been working on the issue

WWA has been working with the DOT on equipment reviews for over 7 years now. The recent press release does not reflect the gains we have been able to achieve with the DOT so Windsurfers are in a much better situation than was originally tabled by the DOT. Through working with the DOT we have been able to move away from the 1980's rules that required anchors, bailors and all sorts of crazy requirements. Type 100 Life Jackets are not required as planned we the exemption process remains for events where additional safety cover can be provided.

Wave Sailing is a sticking point and will always be a sticking point with the DOT. For now, we don't see many avenues for changes or improvement to the rules. Someone needs to design a cheap Type 50 PFD for wave sailing.

For ocean sailors in general, the rules are not new or particularly different to what has been the DOT's approach in recent years. In practical terms, there is no real reason to not be wearing a windsurfing specific Life Jacket when blasting around off the coast.