The clever way to go boating

Being aboard your boat should be fun and relaxing.

As the skipper you should ensure that you have done all you can to protect the safety of your passengers and yourself whilst on the water.

Adding the 49 Step Safety Check to your annual boating routine will help to keep you and your passengers safe.

The 49 Steps to Safer Boating is a safety check that is only provided by participating BIA members.

A fresh set of professional eyes may see problems that you have not identified.

80 % marine rescues are because of engine failure. Avoid being part of the statistics – Take the 49 Steps to Safer

Boating today!

Checklist

Our pariticipating members are ready to assist you

  1. Steering system
  2. Battery and restraints
  3. Fuel tank and restraints
  4. Fuel lines and filter primer bulb
  5. Instruments
  6. Navigation lights
  7. Wiring and fuses
  8. Windscreen/wipers
  9. Mooring ropes/lines
  10. Sea cocks and valves
  1. Wheels and wheel bearings
  2. Winch, cable and hook
  3. Lights
  4. Coupling
  5. Trailer adjustments
  6. Safety Chain
  7. Trailer general condition
  8. Brakes
  1. Bilge pumps and float-switch operation (Bilge pump is required safety equipment for vessels with covered bilges)
  2. PFDs (condition and number)
  3. Anchor/chain/rope
  4. Fire extinguisher
  5. Waterproof torch
  6. Bailer bucket (if bilge pump not fitted)
  7. Safety label
  8. Flares
  9. Radio
  1. Engine operation
  2. Gearbox operation
  3. Gear oil condition
  4. Drive oil remote bottle level
  5. Engine oil
  6. Power trim oil
  7. Remote controls operation
  8. Electrical harness
  9. Battery cables, terminals and switches
  10. Belts
  11. Charging system
  12. Starting mechanism
  13. Trim/tilt operation
  14. Propeller
  15. Trim tab/anodes
  16. Attaching bolts/thumb screws
  17. Closed cooling system – level/fluid condition
  18. Engine mounts
  19. Battery condition
  20. Engine fuel filters
  21. Air filters and flame arrestors
  22. Coding system operation

CONDITIONS APPLY: The 49 Steps to Safer Boating Check is suitable for single engine trailer boats under 8 meters long. The 49 Steps to Safer Boating Check is not a requirement of vessel registration. All observations, assessments and recommendations relate specifically to the time of inspection. Safety equipment requirements are correct at time of printing, but may be subject to change. Detailed safety requirements and exemptions for all vessels can be found in the Department of Transport “Safe Boating Handbook” or at www.transport.wa.gov.au

The owner agrees that this Safety Check is to be used as a guide only and agrees to rely on its own enquiries and not on the skill and competence of the Member in providing this service. The Boating Industry Association of WA accepts no liability as to the competent of its members and takes no responsibility for any damage that might be suffered by any service provided by the BIAWA or its members, including the safety check.

Participating Members

All participating businesses are Members of the Boating Industry Association of WA and are bound by the BIA Code of Practice

Become a Participating Member

The 49 Steps to Safer Boating check is a service provided to the boating public by participating BIAWA members, and is carried out by Trade-Qualified employees of BIAWA members.

The product consists of a brief safety-focused inspection of a trailer, vessel, its mechanical systems and equipment, its safety and navigational systems and equipment, as well as safety aspects of the vessel trailer and equipment. A report is produced by the inspector, that indicates whether inspected items require further attention.

The 49 Steps to Safer Boating check is targeted at single-engine trailer-vessels up to 8 meters in length, and is to be advertised at a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) of $99.00. The program has the support of FESA & Department of Transport, as it promotes awareness of vessel and equipment safety.

The 49 Steps to Safer Boating check will be promoted by the BIA between December and Easter. Targeted for effect over Spring and Summer. In future years it will commence in September and run through to November to assist participating members to address the low-season downturn in workshop business volume, and to generate new business opportunities. It is anticipated that the program will encourage boat owners to use the service annually to ensure the safety of their boats.

Participating members will be required to hold a current BIAWA Membership, and to have at least one Trade-Qualified technician on staff.

Induction material will be provided on the following topics:

  1. Legal obligations and liability
  2. Trade Practices Act
  3. Pricing strategy and conditions
  4. Carrying- out the check
  5. Producing the report
  6. Record keeping
  7. Maximising participation in the program, and the benefit to the customer
  8. Encouraging return business and the long term success of the program

Participating members will be listed on the BIAWA website : www.biawa.asn.au and promotional and advertising material will direct prospective customers to this website in order to locate their preferred service provider.

An annual fee will be charged by the BIAWA for each member participating in the 49 Steps to Safer Boating checks. This fee will support promotional activity and entitle the participant the following:

  • Induction material
  • Listing on 49 Steps to Safer Boating check web page and other marketing material where appropriate
  • “49 Steps to Safer Boating check – Authorised Provider” stickers
  • Electronic-format artwork for self placing advertising (suitable for newspaper, magazine or other print media)
  • 1 x book of Safety Check forms (50 duplicate forms, carbon impregnated, foolscap size)

The 49 Steps to Safer Boating program will be promoted by the BIAWA using various media including, print, on-line, and flyers to be made available through Department of Transport, FESA and retail partners.

About FESA

Proudly supported by FESA Volunteer Marine Rescue Services.

“VOLUNTEER MARINE RESCUE SERVICES”