DECLARATION OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXEMPTION

Published on 13 October 2018

PUBLIC NOTICE
DECLARATION OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXEMPTION

Loddon Shire Council, as the declared waterway manager for the Loddon River (at Bridgewater between Flour Mill Weir and Sweeney’s Lane), makes the following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic). For the purpose of conducting the Bendigo Canoe Club Cup on 20 October 2018, as detailed in their application of 18 July 2018 under section 203(1) of the Act, vessels involved in the activity are exempt as follows:

Competitor & Rescue vessels during the event only:
1. Clause 62.6 of Schedule 62 – exemption from exclusive use zone Slalom course;
2. Clause 62.7 of Schedule 62 – exemption from exclusive use zone Ski area;
3. Clause 62.2 of Schedule 62- exemption from 5 knot speed limit;
4. Clause 2(c) – exemption from the requirement to operate below 5 knots within 50 metres of another vessel;
5. Clause 3(b) – exemption from the requirement to operate at a speed not exceeding 5 knots within 50 metres of a fixed or floating structure; and
6. Clause 2(a) – exemption from the requirement to operate at a speed not exceeding      5 knots within 50 metres of a person in the water.
All vessels are already exempt from Clause 3(a) – the requirement to operate at a speed not exceeding 5 knots within 50 metres of the waters’ edge, due to the Loddon River exclusive use rule - Clause 62.1 of Schedule 62.

The masters of the rescue vessels are only exempt from items 3, 4, 5 and 6 when undertaking a rescue operation to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial medical or other needs and deliver them to a place of safety on shore.

All participants on vessels involved with the event must wear a personal flotation device at all times during the event and vessels must have all prescribed safety equipment, including rescue vessels.

This declaration applies to registered participants of the Bendigo Canoe Club event between the hours of 8.00 am to 4.00 pm on Saturday 20 October 2018 for the waters of the Loddon between the Calder Highway Bridge and the boat ramp at Sweeney’s Lane, provided the stated safety controls and undertakings detailed in the Event Application and associated documentation are adhered to.

BY ORDER OF LODDON SHIRE COUNCIL

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