South Australian Current Regulations

HARBORS AND NAVIGATION REGULATIONS 2023 - REG 112

112—Emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs)

        (1)         For the purposes of section 65A(1) of the Act, the following classes of vessels are specified:

            (a)         canoes, kayaks, rowboats or other similar small human-powered recreational vessels being operated in unprotected waters;

            (b)         all other vessels being operated in prescribed unprotected waters.

        (2)         However, a canoe, kayak, rowboat or other similar small human-powered recreational vessel being operated in unprotected waters is exempt from the requirement to carry an EPIRB if—

            (a)         the vessel is in the company of—

                  (i)         at least 2 similar vessels; or

                  (ii)         a support vessel; and

            (b)         at least 1 of the other vessels referred to in paragraph (a) is equipped with an EPIRB; and

            (c)         the vessel remains within 50 m of the vessel so equipped at all times.

        (3)         For the purposes of section 65A(1) of the Act, the following requirements relating to emergency position indicating radio beacons are specified:

            (a)         the beacon must be capable of transmitting on a frequency of 406 megahertz;

            (b)         the beacon must comply with AS/NZS 4280.1:2022: 406 MHz satellite distress beacons - Marine emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) ;

            (c)         the beacon must be currently registered with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority;

Editorial note—

The procedures for obtaining and renewing registration of EPIRBs as required by this regulation are set out by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

            (d)         the beacon must be suitably located and secured on the relevant vessel having regard to the need for access to the beacon and the need to protect the beacon from accidental damage or loss;

            (e)         the beacon must be maintained in good working order.

        (4)         In this regulation—

"coast" means—

            (a)         the coast of the mainland; and

            (b)         the coast of Kangaroo Island;

"prescribed unprotected waters" means—

            (a)         those unprotected waters more than 5 nautical miles seaward of the Low Water Mark of the coast in the waters of Spencer Gulf or Gulf St. Vincent; or

            (b)         those unprotected waters more than 3 nautical miles seaward of the Low Water Mark of the coast in the waters of any other area except Lakes Alexandrina and Albert;

"waters of Spencer Gulf or Gulf St. Vincent" means—

            (a)         for Spencer Gulf—the waters in that gulf north of a line drawn from Cape Catastrophe on Eyre Peninsula to Waterhouse Point on Thistle Island and then to Corny Point on Yorke Peninsula (see following map);

            (b)         for Gulf St. Vincent—the waters in that gulf north of a line drawn from Troubridge Point on Yorke Peninsula to Rapid Head on Fleurieu Peninsula (see following map).

Editorial Note—

The following map is provided for convenience of reference only.

Waters of Spencer Gulf and Gulf St. Vincent