April Fool x 2
It looks like at least a couple of people fell for this one from the moth.asn.au web site.
NSW News
The NSW Waterways Authority advise ‘that as of the 1st September 2007 all hydrofoiling sailcraft operating west of Sydney Harbour Bridge will be required to display a masthead flashing amber light when at foiling speed’.
When quizzed about this ridiculous new ruling, the Waterways revealed there had been ’several’ complaints regarding ’small hydrofoiling sailboats’ in the Cockatoo Island vicinity. The complaints mainly refer to the speed and inaudibility of hydrofoiling sailcraft, causing a lack of proximity awareness in other waterway users - particularly large motor vessels. They went on to explain that since the fitting of flashing lights to the Sydney Ferries Corporation Rivercat fleet, on-water incidents involving other vessels not observing Rivercats had dropped dramatically.
The NSW Waterways Authority also wish to point out that a $160 on-the-spot fine will be applicable for failure to display correct navigational lights (this includes hazard lighting) and draws our attention to the following clause in the NSW Maritime Boating Handbook - ‘Serious or repeat offences under the marine legislation will result in proceedings in a court after the issue of a court attendance notice. Such offences may include dangerous or negligent navigation and/or failure to display adequate hazard lighting’.
IMCA NSW will be making a submission to the NSW Waterways Authority in an attempt to have this matter resolved in a fair and sensible manner. In the interim, Moth Foilers are advised to exercise caution when west of Sydney Harbour Bridge and drop to sub-foiling speeds when within 30 meters of all other water users.
Time to get back on the water Donosan…
