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Power boating activities

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Guideline review date: 28 October 2021

​This guideline is provided to support schools in implementing the managing risks in school curriculum activities procedure.

The CARA planner (DOCX, 600KB)​ must be used for the specific school context in conjunction with this guideline considering additional risks, hazards and controls and including environmental, facility, equipment and student considerations.​

For activities beyond the scope of this guideline, complete a CARA record using the CARA generic template (DOCX, 488KB).

Activity scope

This guideline relates to student participation in power boating activities during daylight hours in Queensland regulated vessels as an activity to support curriculum delivery.

Note: Schools are not to operate a power boat using a coastal bar crossing.

Depending on the scope of this activity, other risk assessments may be required when planning. Curriculum activities encompassing more than one CARA guideline (e.g. marine animal activities while snorkelling) must comply with the requirements of all CARA guidelines appropriate to the activity.

For activities conducted at a non-Department of Education venue, and/or when engaging external expertise (e.g. charter company), request written risk assessment advice detailing the safety management system​ from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, vessel registration, safety and communications equipment and crew qualifications and attach it to this CARA record.

For activities conducted off-site, schools must comply with the school excursions procedure.

Medium risk
Operating a power boat in smooth and partially smooth​ waters.
High risk
Operating a power boat beyond partially smooth​ waters.

Activity requirements

If any requirement cannot be met, the activity must not occur.

If any other safety recommendation cannot be met, modify the activity (or elements of it) and/or identify and use the hierarchy of controls to implement alternative control measures to meet or exceed the minimum safety standard.

All craft must comply with safety management systems, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads registration, maintenance and equipment requirements.

Schools using their own vessel/s must keep maintenance records as outlined in the guidelines for a safety management system.

A BoatSafe training provider must be used if issuing boat licences to students.

Queensland Government zoning and designated areas must be consulted for restricted areas.

Permits and permissions are required to be obtained as necessary (e.g. Queensland Government Marine park permits and activities, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority).

Participants must adhere to all rules and advice communicated by local marine rescue service, facility operator/owner and any safety signage at the facility/location.

Confirmation of student water safety and swimming competence is required prior to participation. The process is determined by the school and must consider the specific aquatic environments in which the activity will take place. Consult the sequence of competency water safety and swimming education program​ for support in determining age-appropriate suitability and consider student self-rescue skills in the specific aquatic environment.

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Consent

Parent consent (DOCX, 306KB) is required for all activities conducted off-site and strongly recommended for high risk activities conducted on-site.​

Supervision

Principals make final supervision decisions for the activity. Sufficient adult supervision must be provided to manage the activity safely (including emergency situations).

Specific roles for supervisors must include recovery, emergency and general supervision roles. All adult supervisors must be able to identify, and respond to, risks or hazards that may emerge during the activity. At least one adult supervisor must be able to:

  • recover a student from the water
  • be able to take control of the vessel if required
  • operate signalling devices needed in a duress situation, including marine radio and flares.

For activities with students with a medical condition or disability that may impact on safety during the activity, consultation with parents is required prior to allocating supervision to determine the impact of students’ medical condition or disability on safety during the activity.

The number of adult supervisors required to fulfil emergency and supervision roles must consider the nature of the activity, students’ ages, abilities and specialised learning, access and/or health needs.

One adult supervisor who holds a recreational marine driver licence must travel in the vessel with the student/s under instruction, providing direct and immediate supervision to students operating vessels. For schools that own and operate their own vessels, consult Section 18A of the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994 and consider the additional conditions when determining whether the adult supervisor is required to travel in the vessel with students.

A second adult supervisor must act as a lookout. The lookout must watch for approaching vessels, dangerous marine life and students in difficulty.

Before the activity, all adult supervisors:

  • must be familiar with the contents of the CARA record
  • must assess weather conditions and obtain accurate information on tides, depths, currents and other expected water conditions (if applicable) prior to undertaking the activity, inspecting the intended location in order to identify variable risks, hazards and potential dangers.

During the activity, all adult supervisors:

  • must be readily identifiable and all students in sight of at least one adult at all times
  • must closely monitor students with health support needs
  • must comply with control measures from the CARA record and adapt as hazards arise
  • must suspend the activity if the conditions become unfavourable (e.g. poor visibility, extreme temperatures, thunderstorms)
  • must not allow students to be relied upon to recover a person in difficulty.

Supervisor qualifications

Principals make final decisions in determining supervisor capability (competence, relevance and currency) and are responsible for encouraging and enabling school-based activity supervisors to raise their qualifications to improve safety standards.

All adult supervisors must comply with the working with children authority—Blue Cards procedure and be able to identify, and respond to, risks or hazards that may emerge during the activity.

A registered teacher must be appointed to maintain overall responsibility for the activity.

At least one adult supervisor is required to demonstrate capacity to perform an appropriate rescue procedure including using appropriate rescue aids.

At least one adult supervisor is to be embarked in each training ship.

For medium and high risk activities:

  • At least one adult supervisor is required to be a registered teacher with demonstrated ability to undertake instruction and training in power boating who holds a minimum of a recreational marine driver licence issued by Department of Transport and Main Roads; or
  • A registered BoatSafe trainer, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher.

Facilities and equipment

The qualified adult supervisor of the activity, in consultation with the principal, determines the requirements for facilities and equipment appropriate to the local context.

Location must be suitable for the activity being undertaken to ensure safe participation and that safety rules and procedures can be followed. Undertake a reconnaissance of new or infrequently used locations to ascertain suitability. Consider depth of water, tidal flow, currents, visibility, underwater vegetation (e.g. coral), marine life (e.g. stonefish, blue-ring octopus, crocodiles, sharks, eels), and debris. Obtain advice from lifeguards, local authority or other relevant authority (e.g. Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing) about waterway conditions (e.g. contaminants, such as blue-green algae) and other potential hazards (e.g. rips, tides, currents, submerged rocks, water temperature, depth conditions).

A seaworthy vessel/s suitable for the activity (e.g. hygiene facilities, accommodation if required) must be used.

Vessel must have a fixed Australian Builders Plate (capacity, capability and limitations of the vessel). Vessels with basic flotation are not to operate outside smooth waters and vessels with level flotation are not to operate more than 15 nautical miles (nm) from land.

When operating tiller steered vessels, an engine kill switch lanyard must be worn at all times by operators.

All activities supported by a 'mother ship'.

Life jackets that comply with Australian standards for level 50 (smooth and partially smooth waters), 100, 150, 275 (beyond partially smooth waters) that are brightly coloured, are the correct size for the wearer and adjusted correctly must be worn at all times while on the water.

Participants must wear personal protective equipment as relevant for the location and conditions (e.g. sunscreen, wetsuits, stinger protective swimwear, thermal underwear, fleece, enclosed footwear with thick soles when boating/launching where dangers such as stonefish may be present).

Prescription spectacles and sunglasses, if worn, to be secured with a suitable restraint.

Minimum safety equipment appropriate to the activity as per safety equipment for boats in Queensland must be available.

Equipment correctly waterproofed and stowed securely in the vessel.

A retirement schedule must be developed to replace plant and equipment by manufacturers' nominated expiry date or when significant wear causes a hazard.

Ensure adequate fuel, drinking water, food and shade is available for the duration of the activity.

Access to waterways for emergency vehicles and vessels must be available.

No single navigation system to be relied upon. Where an electronic system (e.g. GPS) is used, have spare batteries and another position-fixing method available (e.g. chart and compass).

Follow appropriate procedures for the use of incendiary devices, such as flares.

Consult chemicals in curriculum activities for support in assessing the risks of chemicals used with/by students in curriculum activities.

If a CARA record is required in OneSchool, a summary of chemicals, plant, equipment and/or materials used in the activity must be provided by entering directly onto the CARA record in OneSchool or by attaching a summary. Sample templates are provided on chemicals in curriculum activities and plant, equipment and materials in curriculum activities.

Keys and starting devices must be removed when not in use and stored in a separate locked location.

If privately owned equipment is being used, principal approval and owner consent/insurance details must be obtained prior to the activity (e.g. volunteer owned/operated vessels).

 Common hazards and controls

Further to those listed, include any additional hazards and control measures considering the local context of the activity.

Environmental hazards Control measures

Animal bites/diseases
Stings, poisoning, infection

Adhere to Queensland Government dangerous marine life and Surf Life Saving Queensland marine stinger safety guidelines for information on dangerous marine animals. Stings and bites by stonefish, irukandji and other dangerous marine animals can be fatal. For further information about types of poisoning and treatment available, consult Queensland Poisons Information Centre or phone 13 11 26.

Marine organisms not to be handled and contact with marine creatures to be avoided.

Continually assess threat of dangerous marine animals (if appropriate to location). Immediately move the participants to a safe location if dangerous marine creatures are detected or suspected.

Environmental conditions
Weather, surrounds

The school's sun safety strategy must be followed.

Follow the managing excessive heat in schools guidelines when participating in very hot or extreme heat conditions.

Facilities and equipment hazards Control measures

Vessels

Continually assess threat of other vessels.

Chemicals

Refuel the vessel safely (e.g. all occupants to disembark prior to refuelling, switch off engines, maintain contact between hose nozzle and fixed pipe to prevent static sparks, ensure no smell of fuel from bilges). Do not allow students to refuel vessels.

Student considerations Control measures

Injury

Students aware of the location of emergency and first-aid equipment.

Physical exertion
Exhaustion and fatigue

Continually monitor students for signs of distress (e.g. fatigue, exhaustion, illness, hunger, dehydration, hypothermia, difficulty breathing and hyperventilation).

Adopt system of signals to clearly communicate the need for assistance if in difficulty.

Student issues
Student numbers, special needs, high risk behaviours, medical conditions, separation from the group

Develop a procedure for students who may develop sea sickness.

Instruct participants to call or signal for assistance if a problem cannot be rectified immediately.

Implement procedures for regular head counts before, during and after activity and roll marking mechanisms for students leaving the activity.

Visibility

Have students wear easily identifiable clothing (e.g. high visibility rash vest).

Ensure staff can easily recognise those students with health support needs (in and out of the water) and are familiar with their needs.

 Disclaimer

This information is developed and distributed on this website by the State of Queensland for use by Queensland state schools only.

Use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information by persons or organisations other than the State of Queensland is at their sole risk. All users who use, adapt or rely on this information are responsible for ensuring by independent verification its accuracy, currency and appropriateness to their particular circumstances. The State of Queensland makes no representations, either express or implied, as to the suitability of this information to a user's particular circumstances.

To the full extent permitted by law, the State of Queensland disclaims all responsibility and liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs arising from the use or adaptation of, or reliance on, this information.

Links to external websites are for convenience only and the State of Queensland has not independently verified the information on the linked websites. It is the responsibility of users to make their own decisions about the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of the information at these external websites.

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Last updated 14 July 2022