MSQ’s general manager Angus Mitchell has provided comprehensive answers to your questions, which were submitted by readers to The Courier Mail.
SEE HOW THE Q&A PLAYED OUT IN THE BLOG BELOW
The confusion erupted on Tuesday when the Queensland Government announced recreational boating would be heavily restricted in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus across the state.
Maritime Safety Queensland initially advised recreational boating was off-limits unless it was for essential travel before the Department of Transport and Main Roads clarified boaties could also still head out to fish for food.
Meanwhile, the Premier’s office advised “the same rules apply on land as at sea” and that people who live near a boat ramp would not be fined for going out on the boat, as long as they adhere to current regulations of social distancing.
“If people are lucky enough to live with a boat ramp at the end of the street, we’re not going to stop them from doing that,” the spokesman said.
So what are the hard and fast rules?
If you live within, say, 5km of a boat ramp, can you still head out?
Do you have to be fishing? Or can you recreate while maintaining social distancing?
Mr Mitchell said ‘there are a range of scenarios where you may want to take a boat out’ but ‘the first question you should ask yourself is: do you need to take your boat out?’
“Queensland’s Chief Health Officer has been very clear – if you don’t need to be out then stay at home. That is now the law,” he said.
“The same rules that apply on land also apply in our waterways, bays and out at sea.
“If you’re looking for a loophole to leave the home, then you probably shouldn’t be heading out.”
He said there are essential reasons along Queensland’s long and populated coastline where people need their boat – like fishing, exercise, going shopping, or getting to work.
“The current rules don’t seek to stop boat owners using their boats for essential reasons,” he said.
“Boaties should stay as local as possible, and social distancing rules apply, at the boat ramp and on your boat.
“Boaties should only be with one other person, or with family from the same household.”
SEE HOW THE Q&A PLAYED OUT BELOW
Updates
And that concludes our live Q&A!
Thank you everyone for taking the time to ask great questions – we were inundated and tried to choose the ones which would be most helpful to the majority of people.
Thank you to Angus Mitchell from Maritime Safety Queensland for taking the time to answer the questions – especially given these social distancing and 'home confinement' rules are changing daily.
In summary:
* You can go boating for essential fishing (for food to eat), travelling to and from work/supermarkets or exercise
* You need to keep it local – don't head too far afield
* If you are trying to think of loopholes, you probably shouldn't be going out
* The directive is we must all stay at home unless absolutely essential to leave
* If you do go out, remember social distancing rules – only 2 people together and remain 1.5m away from others.
This is certainly an unprecedented time and I'm sure many of us would love to head out for some recreational boating to escape the cabin fever at home. However, Mr Mitchell raised important points – heading out increases risk to the community – you make contact points without realising it.
We hope this Q&A provided a little bit of clarity. Stay safe. Thank you everyone!
And that concludes our live Q&A!
Thank you everyone for taking the time to ask great questions – we were inundated and tried to choose the ones which would be most helpful to the majority of people.
Thank you to Angus Mitchell from Maritime Safety Queensland for taking the time to answer the questions – especially given these social distancing and 'home confinement' rules are changing daily.
In summary:
* You can go boating for essential fishing (for food to eat), travelling to and from work/supermarkets or exercise
* You need to keep it local – don't head too far afield
* If you are trying to think of loopholes, you probably shouldn't be going out
* The directive is we must all stay at home unless absolutely essential to leave
* If you do go out, remember social distancing rules – only 2 people together and remain 1.5m away from others.
This is certainly an unprecedented time and I'm sure many of us would love to head out for some recreational boating to escape the cabin fever at home. However, Mr Mitchell raised important points – heading out increases risk to the community – you make contact points without realising it.
We hope this Q&A provided a little bit of clarity. Stay safe. Thank you everyone!
READER QUESTION: I live 2.5km away from the boat ramp, have my own tinnie and want to take my son out once or twice a week over the next few weeks and adhere to the social distancing laws, whilst also fishing recreationally, I believe that is ok from the current government reports, I would like confirmation that is the case.
ANGUS MITCHELL: Queensland’s Chief Health Officer has been very clear – if you don’t need to be out then stay at home.
If you need to leave the house to use your boat locally to fish or for exercise, then do so.
But you should also follow the latest health advice and keep to the social distancing requirements.
This includes 1.5 metre separation, four square metres of area when indoors, only two people onboard unless members of the same household.
READER QUESTION: My wife and I often head out on our boat to go and catch a feed of fish. We live local to a ramp but also often head further afield when the weather is good. If we keep our distance from everyone is this acceptable? If not, how it is any different to going for a walk with the dog given we are arguably more distanced from everyone when on the boat?
ANGUS MITCHELL: Fishing is fine, but consistent with the Chief Health Officer advice, only go out if you need to, and keep it local.
Please bear in mind that you may increase risk in the community by needing to refuel or gather additional stores, as well as creating a risk to those who may be required to rescue you.
Also remember that social distancing rules apply not just on your boat, but also at the boat ramp.
READER QUESTION: Please confirm if you head out in a boat from a private residence to go for a swim and/or waterski with direct access to the water from where you are living/isolating with those same people is this allowed if you follow social distancing guidelines?
ANGUS MITCHELL: Yes, if you stick to your local area and are doing this for exercise.
Please be mindful that you may increase risk in the community by needing to refuel or gather additional stores, as well as creating a risk to those who may be required to rescue you.
READER QUESTION: Currently travelling with family from Sydney to Brisbane via boat.
Can't exactly stop mid trip as we need to get home.
As others have said, could not be more isolated. What exactly do we do when we get to QLD/Brisbane?
ANGUS MITCHELL: You're always welcome in Queensland but right now you must comply with Queensland’s border closure requirements.
Check out the web site for the latest details. https://www.qld.gov.au/about/newsroom/queensland-border-restrictions
READER QUESTION: My wife and I have a catamaran on a private dock which is totally self-sufficient.
Are the two of us allowed to go out over Easter while maintaining social distancing?
ANGUS MITCHELL: Queensland’s Chief Health Officer has been very clear – if you don’t need to be out then stay at home.
READER QUESTION: I have a 34 foot motor boat that I intend to take out from our marina, anchor off some island and take time out, why can’t I go out?
ANGUS MITCHELL: Going boating, in any size boat for recreation which is not essential, is not permitted.
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer has been very clear – if you don’t need to be out then stay at home.
Going boating creates a range of unnecessary contact points within the community such as refuelling or gathering additional stores to those in your household.
There's also the risk you create to anyone who may have to come to your rescue if you get into trouble.
READER QUESTION: Can i just go out in my boat by myself and have a mental break, this is how I unwind currently from a stressful week of work.
I float around the bay and feed the fish while trying to catch one for relaxation?
ANGUS MITCHELL: Fishing and exercise are considered essential activities.
As long as you are staying local, this is fine – but please be mindful that you may increase risk in the community by needing to refuel or gather additional stores, as well as creating a risk to those who may be required to rescue you.
Also remember that social distancing rules apply not just on your boat, but also at the boat ramp.
READER QUESTION: Can I go out on my jetski if i am following social distancing rules and going fishing?
ANGUS MITCHELL: This is where common sense comes into play.
Fishing is considered an essential activity.
But going out on the water does creates additional and unnecessary contact points in the community such as buying bait or hooks and equipment such as fishing rods or boat equipment.
Please consider whether you need to go out.
