• Staged introduction begins for new, stronger on-water drug and alcohol laws
• Penalties significantly increased for skippering under the influence
• Reforms continue unprecedented period of change to boating safety laws in WA
• Skippers applauded for high level of compliance

Skippers navigating dangerously, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, face significantly higher penalties this summer following the successful passage of new laws through State Parliament.

A staged implementation of a broad package of amendments to the Western Australian Marine Act 1982 will begin this month, building on the recent improvements to safety equipment laws for recreational vessels in Western Australia, and continuing an unprecedented period of change designed to boost boating safety.

On-water incidents in WA have claimed 57 lives in the past seven years, and over the past ten years, the average number of deaths per year has increased to 7.1, up on the previous ten-year average of 4.5.

The changes will strengthen safe navigation laws, and include significant penalties for unsafe operation of vessels, and for being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The offence of dangerous navigation now has penalties including fines of up to $36,000, three years imprisonment and two years minimum disqualification from holding or obtaining a Recreational Skipper's Ticket, compared with a previous maximum fine of only $1,000.  

Skippers who navigate a vessel under the influence face a fine of up to $3,750 for a first offence, and up to $7,500 and 18 months imprisonment for a third or subsequent offence. Those navigating while under the influence and causing death will face a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

A further stage of the new laws will be introduced next year, allowing for on-water drug and alcohol testing when a skipper is suspected of being under the influence. Prescribed limits for alcohol and drugs - similar to the current road rules - will also apply.

For more information about the new laws visit transport.wa.gov.au/drugsandalcohol 

Comments attributed to Minister Assisting the Transport Minister David Michael:

"This is another significant milestone in the strengthening of boating safety laws in WA that will provide a more effective deterrent and assist in reducing the increasing and senseless loss of life on our waterways.

"In September we introduced major changes to the safety equipment requirements for recreational vessels, and the staged introduction of new marine drug and alcohol laws from December 21 continues this important work.

"On the water, officers are seeing a very high level of compliance with the safety equipment changes, and skippers are to be applauded for their significant effort to carry essential lifesaving safety equipment on each voyage.

"Skippers will be encouraged to continue to learn more about safe boating practice and the new drug and alcohol laws in a Statewide education campaign."

Comments attributed to Police Minister Paul Papalia:

"The WA Police Force is working closely with the Department of Transport to ensure the new laws are implemented in a coordinated way, with agreed enforcement protocols as they take effect over the next year.

"When it is suspected a skipper is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, authorities will have the ability to test them and, if required, remove the threat to on-water safety.

"The reforms send a consistent message that driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not tolerated on the State's roads or waterways."