freshwater-recreational-fishing-guide-2018-19

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Fishing safely/safe boating
NSW Recreational Freshwater Fishing Guide
Fishing safely
Basic safety tips include:
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Plan ahead. Always let friends or family know
where you are going and when you will be
back and leave a plan of your route if possible.
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Fish with a mate or two. Having someone
nearby makes good sense in case of
accident or injury.
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When fishing in potentially hazardous
locations such as those located near
areas of fast moving water always wear a
lifejacket. Carrying ropes and torches may
be useful and it may also be appropriate to
wear non-slip shoes.
■■
Never enter the water to retrieve lost
tackle or snagged fish. If the location looks
dangerous, don’t fish there.
■■
Take a communication device. A mobile
phone is a good standby if you are within
range. No matter which service provider
you are with, 000 will connect you with
emergency services from a mobile phone.
Consider buying or hiring an emergency
beacon for back country trips.
■■
Observe first, fish later. Always check weather
and water conditions before you start fishing
and be aware that conditions may change
dramatically in a short period of time.
■■
Keep yourself warm and dry and leave
the water if you start to feel cold to
avoid hypothermia.
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Ask for advice from locals who know the
waterways. They will always tell you when
an area is dangerous.
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Make sure nobody is behind you when
you cast. Put away sharp objects such as
filleting knives and hooks.
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Slow down to less than 10 knots within
30m of other powered vessels, structures or
the shoreline, or whenever within 60m of
persons in the water or unpowered vessels.
Note that modifications are proposed
to the distance off requirements under
proposed changes to NSW boating laws
from 1 December 2015. Visit www.rms.nsw.
gov.au/maritime for further information.
Always keep a proper lookout and do not
cross close ahead of large vessels.
Fishing safely DVDs funded by the recreational
fishing trusts and the Recreational Fishing
Alliance of NSW are available free of charge.
Check website www.safefishing.com.au
for details.
Wader safety
Basic wader safety tips include:
■■
To restrict the amount of water that can
enter waders, fasten a belt around your
waist. This must be as firm as possible but
always comfortable. The belt will also trap
air inside and provide some buoyancy
but caution is needed as you could finish
upside down if you fall into the water.
■■
If you fall into the water immediately
assume a tuck position, then roll on to your
back while keeping the knees tucked. Use
your arms to balance.
■■
Do not try to swim but either tread water
or float. If close to shore use a sculling
motion to return.
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If swept into a fast flowing stream always face
downstream and go with the current feet first
while working to a safe shore position.
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Always remember not to panic.
Safe boating
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It is important to stay safe when out
on the water. Detailed advice on safe
boating is available in the Roads and
Maritime Services publication ‘Boating
Handbook’. This booklet, as well as
further information, can be obtained in
printed and digital formats by calling the
Maritime Infoline on 131 236 or by visiting
www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime.
Key safe boating tips include:
■■
You must comply with all Roads and
Maritime Services requirements
including lifejacket wearing rules. For
full details of changes to NSW boating
laws from 1 December 2015, visit
www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime.
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Ensure the vessel is in a fit condition and
fuel tanks full. Check batteries beforehand
and run the auxiliary motor periodically.
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Ensure the vessel is fully equipped
for emergencies.
■■
Know how the safety gear works. Make
sure everyone knows where it is stowed
and how to use it.
Fishing safely/safe boating