Boating Protocol

1. The purpose of our protocol

Our protocol sets out how Adelaide University manages boating safety on University premises or during university-related activities.

This protocol should be read in conjunction with the Hazard Management Procedure which gives effect to the Wellbeing and Safety Policy.

2. Our protocol applies to

2.1 Inclusions

• Members of our Adelaide University Community.

2.2 Exclusions

• Where a specific Australia Maritime Safety authority (AMSA) exemption has been granted, the specifics of the exemption will allow for exclusion to the specific areas of this protocol, otherwise the requirements of this protocol remain.
• Chartered boats (a domestic vessel hired from a charter business that comes with an appropriately qualified boat driver). A privately owned boat is not exempt.

3. Our boating protocols

3.1 Roles and responsibilities

University roles and responsibilities for managing boating safety, including activities associated with boating, are set out in the Hazard Management Procedure.

3.2 Ensuring the safe management of Boats and Vessels

The table below outlines key roles and responsibilities for the management of boats and vessels for Adelaide University.

3.3 Ensuring the safe operation of Boating and Vessel Activities

The table below outlines key roles and responsibilities for the safe systems of work associated with Boating and Vessel operational activities.

4. Definitions used in our protocol

The following definitions are applicable to this protocol, for generic Adelaide University definitions refer to the Glossary of Terms.

Boat Operators – includes the aster and all crew members.

Certificate of Operation – describes the conditions under which a vessel (or fleet of vessels) must operate, and details

• The vessels used in the operation; and
• How and where the vessels can operate; and
• Crew required to operate the vessel safely.

Children – Any person under the age of 18 years

Crew – includes all worker (including the Master), who are responsible for the safe operation of the vessel (including navigation and systems) and to provide services for other persons on board. The number of crew and key requirement, including the core complement are provided in Part E of the National Standard for Commercial Vessels.

Crewing – A vessel must always carry sufficient competent and trained crew when operating, so that:

1. The vessel can safely navigate, berth and un-berth; and
2. The vessel systems essential to safety can be effectively operated and monitored; and
3. Immediate and appropriate emergency action can be taken when there is a failure of an essential system; and
4. The risk associated with the nature of the activity conducted by the vessel is reduced to the extent that is reasonably practicable; and
5. A measured response to emergencies or risks that may threaten the vessel or persons on board during normal or abnormal conditions, when considering all facets of the vessel’s operation, can be provided; and
6. Rapid and safe evacuation of all persons onboard the vessel can be facilitated.

Domestic commercial vessel – A vessel that is for use in connection with a commercial, governmental or research activity.

Maritime Incident – The Maritime Safety (Domestic and Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 (Schedule 1) defines a marine incident as:

1. A death of, or injury to, a person associated with the operation or navigation of a domestic commercial vessel
2. The loss or presumed loss of a domestic commercial vessel
3. A collision of a domestic commercial vessel with another vessel
4. A collision by a domestic commercial vessel with an object
5. The grounding, sinking, flooding or capsizing of a domestic commercial vessel
6. A fire on board a domestic commercial vessel
7. A loss of stability of a domestic commercial vessel that affects the safety of the vessel
8. The structural failure of a domestic commercial vessel
9. A close quarters situation
10. An event that results in, or could have resulted in:
    1. The death of, or injury to, a person on board a domestic commercial vessel
    2. The loss of a person from a domestic commercial vessel
    3. A domestic commercial vessel becoming disabled and requiring assistance
11. The fouling or damaging by a domestic commercial vessel of:
    1. Any pipeline or submarine cable; or
    2. Any aid to navigation within the meaning of the Navigation Act 2012 of the Commonwealth
12. A prescribed incident involving a domestic commercial vessel.

Master – (navigation Act, 2012) The person who has command or charge of the commercial vessel and makes decisions for the operation, navigation and safety of the vessel, to ensure compliance requirements, but does not include a licensed pilot acting as such.

Notifiable incident [WHS Act 2012 (SA) Section 35-39]

• The death of a person; or
• A serious injury or illness of a person; or
• A dangerous incident

A serious injury or illness requiring the person to have –

• Immediate treatment as an in-patient in a hospital; or
• Immediate treatment for
  • Amputation of any of his or her body; or
  • A serious head injury or serious eye injury; or
  • A serious burn; or
  • The separation of his or her skin from underlying tissue (degloving or scalping); or
  • A spinal injury; or
  • The loss of a bodily function; or
  • Serious lacerations; or
• Medical treatment within 48 hours of exposure to a substance, and includes any other injury or illness prescribed by the regulations (but doesn’t include an illness or injury of a prescribed kind)

Incident notification – prescribed serious illnesses (Regulation 699)

For the purposes of section 36 of the Act, each of the following conditions is a serious illness:

• Any infection to which the carrying out of work is a significant contributing factor, including any infection that is reliably attributable to carry out work –
  • With micro-organisms; or
  • That involves providing treatment or care to a person; or
  • That involves contract with human blood or body substances; or
  • That involves handling or contact with animals, animal hides, skins, wool or hair, animal carcasses or animal waste products.

The following occupational zoonoses contracted in the course of work involving handling or contact with animals, animal hides, skins, wool or hair, animal carcasses or animal waste products:

Anthrax; Brucellosis; Leptospirosis; Q Fever; Avian influenza; Hendra virus; Psittacosis

Dangerous incident

An incident in relation to a workplace that exposes a worker or any other person to a serious risk to a person’s health or safety emanating from an immediate or imminent exposure to:

• An uncontrolled escape, spillage or leakage of a substance; or
• An uncontrolled implosion, explosion or fire; or
• An uncontrolled escape of gas or steam; or an uncontrolled escape of a pressurised substance; or
• Electric shock; or
• The fall r release from a height of any plant, substance or thing; or
• The collapse or partial collapse of a structure; or
• The collapse of failure of an excavation or of any shoring supporting an excavation; or
• The inrush of water, mud or gas in workings, in an underground excavation or tunnel; or
• The interruption of the main system of ventilation in an underground excavation or tunnel; or
• Any other event prescribed by the regulation but doesn’t include an incident of a prescribed kind.

Passengers – Any person on board a vessel who is not a member of the crew.

Vessel – A craft for use that is capable for being used, in navigation by water, however propelled or moved and

Vessel Class (AMSA) – “class” is made up from two elements: Vessel use (the number) and Area of Operations (the letter). These are defined as:

1. Vessel use
   1. Passenger vessel carrying more than 12 passengers
   2. Trade vessel carrying up to 12 passengers
   3. Fishing operations
   4. Hire and drive vessels
2. Vessel Operation

Limits and known conditions

Limits and known condition can include operational areas, wind, waves and other conditions placed on the vessel by Delegates on the operation., They are usually found on Certificates issued by the Regulator.

Waters (refer to the Harbours and Navigation Regulations for additional information)

Partially smooth waters are waters designated partially smooth by the legislation of each State or Territory.

They are waters where the significant wave height does not exceed 1.5 metres from trough to crest for at least 90 per cent of the time.

Smooth waters are inland waters and any other waters designated as smooth by the legislation of each State or Territory. They are waters where the significant wave height does not exceed 0.5 metres from trough to crest for at least 90 per cent of the time.

Workplace – A workplace is a place where work is carried out for a business or undertaking and includes any place where a worker goes or is likely to be while at work. Place includes a vehicle, vessel, aircraft or other mobile structure and any waters and any installation on land, on the bed of any water or floating on any waters [WHS Act 2012, Division 3, S8]

5. How our protocol is governed

5.1 Compliance

Electrical safety management at Adelaide University is conducted in compliance with the following established regulations and guidelines:

Legislation & Code of Practice

• Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2012 (SA)
• Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012
• Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Regulation 2013
• Australian Maritime Safety Authority National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety Navigation Act 2012 (Cth)
• Harbours and Navigation Act 1993 (SA)
• Harbours and Navigation Regulations 2009 (SA)

Australian Standards

• AS 4758.1 Personal Flotation Devices – General requirements (2008)

University related documents and resources

• Others

5.2 Governance

This protocol is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.

6. History of changes

Note on structures, positions and position titles:

At the time of writing, the organisational structure, positions and position titles for Adelaide University have not all been confirmed. Accordingly, square brackets [ ] temporarily enclose position titles in this procedure until position titles for Adelaide University are know.

Protocol notes

1. Parking Lot

This is for items which are not going to be added to the protocol but is still useful information for the community. The these will be divvied up and be represented elsewhere. Once the protocol is completed then transfer this data to the parking lot tab in Project Register - WH&S - as at 09.09 2025

2. Change Impact table

This for the developers to note down as we are writing those change elements which will create an impact in either foundation Universities. Once protocol is completed reach out to Kema Hord to discuss change impact

3. Decision table

This is for those aspects which a decision is needed

1. If your decision can wait until 2026 then add it to this table and transfer it once the protocol is completed to Project Register - WH&S - as at 09.09 2025.
2. If your decision is needed to complete your protocol then put it straight onto Project Register - WH&S - as at 09.09 2025 and reach to Kate Utrata to assist.