YARRA RIVER ELECTRIC BOAT UPDATE

YARRA RIVER ELECTRIC BOAT UPDATE

As those on the Yarra would attest to, the numbers of Electric Boats (Go Boats & On a Boats) have increased significantly in the couple of months. Go Boats had a 250% increase in bookings last month than 12 months ago. Unfortunately, the number of reported incidents and near misses between these boats and rowing boats has also increased, some causing significant and irreparable damage to rowing equipment. We have been fortunate, that the injuries inflicted upon rowers has been relatively minor.

Rowing Victoria this week met with representatives of the Electric Boat companies, Parks Victoria and Maritime Safety Victoria to develop solutions to ensure all river users can enjoy the river safely, responsibly and respectfully.

A number of issues were discussed and the below are the outcomes being implemented:

• All electric boat “captains”, as required by law, must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and remain 0.00% BAC. This was 0.05% or “sober”
• Increased river patrols and breathalysing by Maritime safety and the Water Police
• All electric boat captains will be provided with river maps with photos highlighting correct bridge arches for travel.
• All electric boat captains to receive instructions re staying on the right at all times, and as close to the banks as possible, unless they need to overtake a stationary or slower moving vessel
• All electric boat captains to receive instructions prohibiting “rafting” and advise to correct erratic steering behaviours.

For the rowers (and coaches) it is important that:

• We continue to respect the river rules, turning in the correct areas, staying on the right at all times, and as close to the banks as possible, unless we need to overtake a stationary or slower moving vessel.
• We keep alert re Electric Boats and pass them as respectfully as we would other rowers.
• We continue to educate our members and coxswains re the river rules.
• We keep especially alert around the Princes bridge, Southbank and boat shed area where traffic is generally slower and more congested.
• We continue to report any incidents via the Report an Incident button on the RV website homepage. A direct reporting channel with the electric boat operators is being established which will enable immediate reporting of poor behaviour for an immediate response by the Operators.
• We do not act as the police, nor berate poor behaviours; we report.
• We respect other river users

Unless there are significant breaches of their licences, the electric boats are here to stay. Rowing Victoria will continue to work for all our stakeholders and rowers to ensure that we are able to continue to enjoy the rivers in Victoria in a safe and enjoyable manner.