Maritime Safety Queensland has appointed a permanent officer to be based in Noosa with an expected start date in March 2020. This officer will meet initially with stakeholders to identify issues, including unregistered vessels, live-aboard vessels, moorings and river safety, and will also liaise with other agencies including the Department of Fisheries and Water Police regarding monitoring, compliance and waterway behaviours.
(I am not sure if this is the appropriate place for this comment) Why is anchorage in the Noosa River not confined to certain designated areas rather allowing people to anchor indefinitely in some of the most pristine and beautiful spots such as north of Sand Island? Quite apart from infringing on the beauty of the area is the concern. of sewerage being discharged into the river. Also of course the vast majority of Noosa residents pay council rates and yet these boats pay nothing
For the purposes of proper management of a marine resource, all boats anchored/operating in the Noosa River should be Registered and have a Registration number. The owner/s can be identified and contacted. There doesn’t necessarily have to be a fee attached to this Registration number allocation.
In fact, all boats in Queensland should be Registered and have a readable Rego number…. regardless of speed and power capabilities.
e.g My trailerable boat is a Runabout. As an owner I HAVE to be Registered and have a clearly visible rego. number (BG372Q) on both starboard and port sides of the vessel. I have been checked for compliance many times by Boating Patrol Officers.