Volunteers to Improve Boating Safety

The National Marine Safety Committee launched its recruitment drive today at the Marine Safety Conference in Adelaide, asking boaties to volunteer for its National Boating Usage Study that aims to measure boating risk.

A key area for marine safety research and policy development is determining how the amount of time spent boating is linked to incidents.

NMSC CEO Ms Maurene Horder explained that they are aiming to recruit at least 4000 boaties over the next three months to participate in this Australian first study. Boaties will be asked to fill in a diary each time they go boating between September 2008 and May 2010.

“This eighteen month study differs from other studies in this area that have asked boaties to recall or predict their boating activity over a given period of time.”
National Boating Usage Study volunteers will be asked to fill in diary details such as the number of hours spent on the water, the purpose of the trip, the number of people on board, and whether the boat was involved in an incident.

To ensure that the study represents Australian boating, NMSC is inviting owners and operators of all types of recreational craft including runabouts, ski/wake boats, cuddy, half or full cabin cruisers, sailing boats, jet skis and personal watercraft to be part of the study.

Study results will be used by the NMSC and marine agencies to develop policies to tackle boating safety issues.

“We will be able to identify high risk boating periods, and risk to boaties in terms of the number of hours spent on the water,” explained Ms Horder. 

Volunteers will be provided with regular study updates, exclusive product discounts and chances to win great boating and fishing prizes.

What’s involved?

1. A one-off anonymous survey that asks general questions about your boating behaviour.
2. A Boating Diary, which you will be asked to briefly fill in each time you go boating.

All information collected is confidential and personal details will not be identified or released.

Download a registration form or go to www.nmsc.gov.au to register on-line.

Thank you to study supporters Club Marine, Yaffa Publishing, YachtAndBoat.com.au , Boatingoz.com.au and affiliated web sites.