Plea for boat skippers not to come unstuck on registration

SKIPPERS face $160 fines if they do not show their vessels’ registrations properly in a new safety program announced by the Department of Transport.

Safety education manager Laurie Adams said WA had 98,649 registered boats, and with that number increasing their registration was becoming more important for maritime navigation and safety.

“Not showing a registration number makes it difficult for authorities and others to identify a vessel, which in an emergency could impact a timely response and inhibit a successful outcome,” he said.

Mr Adams said a “concerning” number of boats did not have their number and sticker in the correct positions for clear viewing.

A new vessel registration brochure from the department shows which type of vessels need to registration, the correct type, size, colour and locations of stickers, and the need for navigation aids, safety education and compliance.

Click here to read the brochure.