Boating

Marine and Safety Tasmania regulates boating throughout the State, while the Service has regulations governing fishing from a boat in some waters. Parks and Wildlife Service regulates boating in National Parks and the World Heritage Area.

The Service has specific regulations for some waters, but these restrictions only apply to the fishing activity. For example, a person can use an outboard motor to travel on Lake Lea, but cannot use the motor while fishing. Oars are the only permitted means of propulsion while fishing from a boat on this lake.

Boating in the World Heritage Area and National Parks
In the World Heritage Area (WHA), motorised boating is restricted to lakes Pedder, Augusta, St Clair, Mackenzie, Ada, Pillans and Julian, and Double Lagoon and Gordon River. Motorised boating (including electric motors) is prohibited on all other waters in the Western Lakes and the WHA.

Fishing from a boat
Specific regulations governing fishing from a boat include the following:
• Fishing from a boat within 100 m of an angler fishing from the shore is prohibited unless the boat is securely moored
• A boat must only be rowed whilst fishing at lakes Lea, Bantic, Garcia, Bellinger, Ashford and Ada Lagoon
• Fishing from a boat is not allowed at Lake Leake and weirs 1 and 3 at Brumbys Creek whilst using a petrol outboard motor
• Fishing from a boat is prohibited in lakes Botsford, Dudley and Carter, Howes Lagoon Bay, East Rocky and Rocky lagoons, Pet Dam, Guide Reservoir, and above Weir 2 at Brumbys Creek and any tailrace, impoundment or tributary flowing into Weir 1 at Brumbys Creek
• At Penstock and Little Pine lagoons, trolling of flies from a boat is not permitted
• At Curries River Reservoir, only a boat rowed or powered by an electric outboard motor can be used when either fishing or travelling
• A person must not use a boat to drop a lure or bait offshore and then return to shore to fish with that lure or bait.
• The Service strongly recommends that boating anglers row or use electric outboard motors only at Penstock Lagoon when travelling or fishing. This is to help reduce the impact on the aquatic environment due to increased angling pressure and boating in recent years.

MAST (Marine and Safety Tasmania) speed restrictions
The following speed limits exist for recreational vessels in Tasmania and on-the-spot fines can be issued to offenders.
No boat shall exceed a speed of 5 knots when within 60 metres of a wharf, jetty, mooring, the shoreline or other boat.
No boat shall exceed a speed of 5 knots when within 120 metres of a person swimming, a person diving (displaying the A flag) or a person wading in the water.
There are also a number of designated areas around the state where a speed limit of 5 knots exists. These areas are normally around popular swimming beaches where MAST has previously encountered dangerous behaviour from PWC and boat operators in close proximity to swimmers.

Some of the inland lakes where this speed limit applies are below:

• Four Springs Lake.
• Arthurs Lake - Waters of Cowpaddock Bay north of the transmission lines.
• Penstock Lagoon.
• Little Pine Lagoon.
• Bradys Lake/Lake Binney - waters of Bradys/Binney Canal.
• Lake Binney/Tungatinah Lagoon - waters of the Binney/Tungatinah Canal.
• Waters of Mossy Marsh.
• Waters of Pump Pond.
• Waters of Shannon Lagoon.

Boating Safety
Boating on inland waters requires the utmost care due to submerged trees and snags, shallow sand bars and other possible dangers and obstructions that may be hidden just below the surface. This is particularly important as lake levels decrease and new navigational hazards are uncovered. Inland waters are also often murky and constantly changing, so boating anglers should always maintain a safe speed and proper look out, and be familiar with the area before attempting any high speed activities.
The risk of hypothermia is also greater at inland waters due to low winter water temperatures and extreme wind chill. Hypothermia can result from prolonged heat loss due to immersion or insufficient clothing in cold, wet and windy conditions. Inland boaters should take precautions against the risk of hypothermia and be aware of its symptoms and treatment.
Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) has a set of minimum safety requirements for owners and operators of motor-propelled recreational vessels on inland waters. It is mandatory to wear a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) at all times on inland waters when under power on all boats 6 metres or less.
With the increased use of inflatable life jackets, MAST urges owners to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance and regular servicing. PDFs require greater care than foam filled life jackets and they should be checked manually before boating to ensure that the canister is tight and not rusty, and that the gas bladder is not leaking. Anyone wearing a PFD should be clear on how to use it in an emergency.
Visit www.mast.tas.gov.au for a detailed list of safety standards and specific information for boating anglers.