NSW: New boat safety campaign launched alongside powerboat bid

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-2007
NSW: New boat safety campaign launched alongside powerboat bid

By Kim Christian and Andrew Drummond

SYDNEY, Aug 3 AAP - Minutes after launching a new boat safety campaign, NSW Ports and
Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi today confirmed the state government would bid to host
a world powerboat race on Sydney Harbour.

While news of the bid drew applause from some Sydney tourist operators, The Greens
have slammed the move as high risk for its participants, spectators and the environment.

Mr Tripodi made the two incongruous announcements at an industry breakfast this morning
at the Sydney International Boat Show.

He said Sydney would bid for the right to host a leg of the Class One Powerboat World
Championships - the world's leading international powerboat racing series.

Mr Tripodi also spoke of the state government's goal of preventing boating accidents
through education.

"That's why we're making substantial investment in public safety by being involved
in this advertising campaign," Mr Tripodi said.

His comments follow a new 15 knot restriction on all vessels travelling under the Sydney
Harbour Bridge, which took effect on August 1.

The "boating safety zone" was declared in response to two fatal ferry accidents on
the harbour earlier this year.

The Greens Lee Rhiannon said today's announcements by Mr Tripodi were "duplicitous",
and called on the government to drop its bid for the race.

"These powerboats may be travelling more than eight times the new speed limit just
set by (Transport) Minister John Watkins for waters in the vicinity of the Harbour Bridge,"

Ms Rhiannon said.

"Powerboat racing is recognised, even by its supporters, as among the world's most
dangerous sports.

"People's quiet enjoyment of the harbour will be sacrificed by the deafening noise
of these powerful machines which also impact badly on the environment."

The proposed powerboat course will reportedly run between the Harbour Bridge and Manly.

Captain Cook Cruises general manager Anthony Haworth welcomed the bid.

"We just have to wait and see what the regulator - the NSW Maritime Authority - decides
and it will depend on their approach to it as to how it impacts us," Mr Haworth said.

"But it's good news ... it shows that at last the government is starting to show some
leadership in the area of tourism which has been missing for the last three to four years."

Mr Tripodi's speech was followed by a testosterone-filled film clip of high speed powerboats
complete with bikini-clad women and a rock soundtrack.

He told the breakfast the government's new "You're the skipper, you're responsible"

campaign aimed to encourage recreational boaters to take responsibility for their actions
on the water.

"Recreational boating accidents are tragic but what makes them worse is that they are
preventable," he said.

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KEYWORD: POWERBOAT NIGHTLEAD

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