Wow! $19K For Using VHF
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What a load of cr*p
How the heck do you know 96 hours in advance. 96 hours at 5 knots is, hmm, quite far for cell phone range, or wifi for that matter. It's a stupid law that makes no sense. Another landlubber boondoggle.
How the heck do you know 96 hours in advance. 96 hours at 5 knots is, hmm, quite far for cell phone range, or wifi for that matter. It's a stupid law that makes no sense. Another landlubber boondoggle.
interesting
I can see other country's doing it now. That's big bucks for a silly mistake. Maybe Australia is the manufacturer of satellite phones. What's next, having a phone booth just outside the countries water limits? Sometimes Governmen's just don't think things through, or maybe they did! Why the law? Terrorists. See, by some nut in the Gov'ment's thinking, if a boat doesn't call in, then as the Air Force and Navy spot boats and they are NOT on the list of callee's, then they can board them and find those nasties before they detonate a thermonuclear bomb or toss a dirty diaper overboard. AND they can bill then for their services to the tune of....they figured $15,000 per episode. The rest is costs for the courts. I just took a book back to the library on such a proposed practice here in the USA and it was SOUNDLY rejected because our coastline is too damn big, and there are too many damn ships coming in every day. The intent was for large COMMERCIAL ships to call in, but they did not make the differentiation between commercial and visitors from afar on under 200 foot pleasure craft. I bet the same thing was proposed, and passed in Australia, and they just were not thinking of long distance sailors who don't have phones on board. They also thought of making GPS units mandatory on all boats, commercial and otherwise. These GPS units would have the ships info on them, similar to what now appears on commercial radar units. They would be under lock and key (in other words, nobody except a few people could access them, like our Navy or CG, and other Navies and CG's agreed upon by the UN or some other such authority). It would be MANDATORY to have on on board, at all times, in working order. Why? How could you steal a boat anymore? If they authorities recieved a tip that a device was on board, after the ship was at sea, then it could be found and boarded before it made landfall, etc. It's coming folks.
I can see other country's doing it now. That's big bucks for a silly mistake. Maybe Australia is the manufacturer of satellite phones. What's next, having a phone booth just outside the countries water limits? Sometimes Governmen's just don't think things through, or maybe they did! Why the law? Terrorists. See, by some nut in the Gov'ment's thinking, if a boat doesn't call in, then as the Air Force and Navy spot boats and they are NOT on the list of callee's, then they can board them and find those nasties before they detonate a thermonuclear bomb or toss a dirty diaper overboard. AND they can bill then for their services to the tune of....they figured $15,000 per episode. The rest is costs for the courts. I just took a book back to the library on such a proposed practice here in the USA and it was SOUNDLY rejected because our coastline is too damn big, and there are too many damn ships coming in every day. The intent was for large COMMERCIAL ships to call in, but they did not make the differentiation between commercial and visitors from afar on under 200 foot pleasure craft. I bet the same thing was proposed, and passed in Australia, and they just were not thinking of long distance sailors who don't have phones on board. They also thought of making GPS units mandatory on all boats, commercial and otherwise. These GPS units would have the ships info on them, similar to what now appears on commercial radar units. They would be under lock and key (in other words, nobody except a few people could access them, like our Navy or CG, and other Navies and CG's agreed upon by the UN or some other such authority). It would be MANDATORY to have on on board, at all times, in working order. Why? How could you steal a boat anymore? If they authorities recieved a tip that a device was on board, after the ship was at sea, then it could be found and boarded before it made landfall, etc. It's coming folks.
most island nations
are pretty protective of themselves, especially these days. This may be a bit over the top but at least they don't run the defecit we have and continue to increase. From their perspective, their government is making their workforce produce income - what a novel concept...
are pretty protective of themselves, especially these days. This may be a bit over the top but at least they don't run the defecit we have and continue to increase. From their perspective, their government is making their workforce produce income - what a novel concept...
This from the Bundaberg port page. I believe that had this vessel emailed the po
before leaving South Africa they would have avoided this problem. Four days out is a long way. I think that we don't have a complete story here. Clearance Bundaberg has a great reputation for having pleasant, professional Customs and Quarantine officers. To clear into Australia you will need to notify Australian Customs at least 96 hours before arriving into Port. You should email: yachtreport@customs.gov.au The GPS waypoint for the middle of the outer entrance to the Burnett River is: South 24 45.4 East 152 26.27 When you are approximately 10 nautical miles out from the Port of Bundaberg, you should call VMR 488 (Volunteer Marine Rescue Bundaberg) on VHF Channel 81. They have been instructed by Customs and Quarantine to request the following information: http://www.bundabergportmarina.com.au/pentry.html
before leaving South Africa they would have avoided this problem. Four days out is a long way. I think that we don't have a complete story here. Clearance Bundaberg has a great reputation for having pleasant, professional Customs and Quarantine officers. To clear into Australia you will need to notify Australian Customs at least 96 hours before arriving into Port. You should email: yachtreport@customs.gov.au The GPS waypoint for the middle of the outer entrance to the Burnett River is: South 24 45.4 East 152 26.27 When you are approximately 10 nautical miles out from the Port of Bundaberg, you should call VMR 488 (Volunteer Marine Rescue Bundaberg) on VHF Channel 81. They have been instructed by Customs and Quarantine to request the following information: http://www.bundabergportmarina.com.au/pentry.html
Ausinine?!?
I'm with Stu on this one ... How the hell does a cruising sailboat know 4 days out when or if it will make landfall in 96hrs?? I have arrived 6 hours later than expected on a race from San Francisco to Monterey. And we were doing everything possible to get there!! In cruising mode you can easily lose a day or more during a 96 hr window. Does one cruise within cell-phone distance and then hang offshore for 4 days? If the 96 hrs notice is given will the Ausie CG launch a search if the vessel is a no show? Given the information in the news article, Ausie law in this case is an ass ... and was applied in asinine or now maybe in ausinine fashion. Maybe they see the cruising community as a cash-cow to be milked to augment the government coffers. While I agree that the law is the law and should be complied with, there must be some mitigating factors to be considered. The cruising community is small and tight-knit and word of such heavy-handed treatment travels fast and will or could have negative impact on other vessels' plans to visit OZ. If this is a security issue, does anyone really believe that any person intent on doing harm would comply with the 96 hr rule?
I'm with Stu on this one ... How the hell does a cruising sailboat know 4 days out when or if it will make landfall in 96hrs?? I have arrived 6 hours later than expected on a race from San Francisco to Monterey. And we were doing everything possible to get there!! In cruising mode you can easily lose a day or more during a 96 hr window. Does one cruise within cell-phone distance and then hang offshore for 4 days? If the 96 hrs notice is given will the Ausie CG launch a search if the vessel is a no show? Given the information in the news article, Ausie law in this case is an ass ... and was applied in asinine or now maybe in ausinine fashion. Maybe they see the cruising community as a cash-cow to be milked to augment the government coffers. While I agree that the law is the law and should be complied with, there must be some mitigating factors to be considered. The cruising community is small and tight-knit and word of such heavy-handed treatment travels fast and will or could have negative impact on other vessels' plans to visit OZ. If this is a security issue, does anyone really believe that any person intent on doing harm would comply with the 96 hr rule?
And thats the rub
Quote:If this is a security issue, does anyone really believe that any person intent on doing harm would comply with the 96 hr rule? /Quote Same as gun control or any other goofy law...criminals or thoes intending or up to no good arnt going to play buy the rules no mater how may people are made examples of..
Quote:If this is a security issue, does anyone really believe that any person intent on doing harm would comply with the 96 hr rule? /Quote Same as gun control or any other goofy law...criminals or thoes intending or up to no good arnt going to play buy the rules no mater how may people are made examples of..
I might go, someday, be prepared
I suppose some time from now, I might sail to Australia, sure it is a long shot, but why not be prepared, maybe I should notify them, that way I will be covered: Dearest Customs Authority, Some time, but not within 96 hours of this moment, I will be sailing to Australia, when I get closer, I will give a shout on my VHF radio. Best wishes, I am looking forward to meeting your pleasant and professional Customs and Quarantine officers. Hugs and kisses, D. Bear
I suppose some time from now, I might sail to Australia, sure it is a long shot, but why not be prepared, maybe I should notify them, that way I will be covered: Dearest Customs Authority, Some time, but not within 96 hours of this moment, I will be sailing to Australia, when I get closer, I will give a shout on my VHF radio. Best wishes, I am looking forward to meeting your pleasant and professional Customs and Quarantine officers. Hugs and kisses, D. Bear
I think some of you
are taking the 96hr rule too literal. It states you must make notification of intent to land at least 96hr from your arrival. Not that you plan on arriving in 96hr. If this guy is a "real" cruising sailor he should have adequate communications equipment on board to make notification. Or... at his last port he could have sent an email with his projected ETA. I doubt he would have made it from SA to Aus in less than 96hr. ON top of that, one is required, if one is a US Citizen, to obtain a visa. The many times I visited Aus I went to a website and was issued a paper visa. Granted the fine was stiff for the crime, but he did violate the host country's law.
are taking the 96hr rule too literal. It states you must make notification of intent to land at least 96hr from your arrival. Not that you plan on arriving in 96hr. If this guy is a "real" cruising sailor he should have adequate communications equipment on board to make notification. Or... at his last port he could have sent an email with his projected ETA. I doubt he would have made it from SA to Aus in less than 96hr. ON top of that, one is required, if one is a US Citizen, to obtain a visa. The many times I visited Aus I went to a website and was issued a paper visa. Granted the fine was stiff for the crime, but he did violate the host country's law.
Read the article again, folks
It's NOT only the 96 hours limit, but, OH MY GOD, he used his VHF!!! "Under a new law enacted in 2006, all vessels entering Australia are now required to notify Customs 96 hours in advance -- and the law does not consider a call on marine radio to be proper notification, despite the fact that most pleasureboats do not carry satellite telephone equipment."
It's NOT only the 96 hours limit, but, OH MY GOD, he used his VHF!!! "Under a new law enacted in 2006, all vessels entering Australia are now required to notify Customs 96 hours in advance -- and the law does not consider a call on marine radio to be proper notification, despite the fact that most pleasureboats do not carry satellite telephone equipment."
This taken directly from the Aus Gov page...
"Application for s20AA Permission to Enter an Australian Non-Proclaimed First Port of Entry and/or Application for s33 Permission to Enter Subsequent Ports of Call. (NB: Must be submitted no less than 10 working days prior to arrival in Australia)" (see the link) I couldn't find the application for First Port of Entry (FPE), but the info above couldn't be greater than the FPE. Agree? This case is closed! Any more comments about what and what not to do is moot, period. He did not follow directions and violated the laws. He did not do his homework. He cannot pass "GO" and he cannot collect $200. Therefore, like I said before, the fine was stiff, but valid. If you are going to play the game, know the rules.
"Application for s20AA Permission to Enter an Australian Non-Proclaimed First Port of Entry and/or Application for s33 Permission to Enter Subsequent Ports of Call. (NB: Must be submitted no less than 10 working days prior to arrival in Australia)" (see the link) I couldn't find the application for First Port of Entry (FPE), but the info above couldn't be greater than the FPE. Agree? This case is closed! Any more comments about what and what not to do is moot, period. He did not follow directions and violated the laws. He did not do his homework. He cannot pass "GO" and he cannot collect $200. Therefore, like I said before, the fine was stiff, but valid. If you are going to play the game, know the rules.
Noumea, New Caledonia is 780 miles from Bundaberg
Queensland. They are neighbors in every sense of the word. He could have done the same as we and gone on line from Noumea and contacted Australian customs and gotten the details. There is a conspicuous absence of detail about Manzani's boat. There are some holes in this story and the complete tale will probably never be heard.
Queensland. They are neighbors in every sense of the word. He could have done the same as we and gone on line from Noumea and contacted Australian customs and gotten the details. There is a conspicuous absence of detail about Manzani's boat. There are some holes in this story and the complete tale will probably never be heard.
another story
Recently I sent this email to some one: I have a 37' Irwin but haven't a clue as to what a > headstay is. > Forestay? maybe. here is the answer I got back. Refer to page 4 and 89 of this month's SAIL magazine to see that headstay is an acceptable term for this sailboat component. Here is what I later googled: The headstay is the farthest forward of all the stays on the boat. My point is sometimes people don't.....something...I don't get it. Whaen you raed the story, you will find the sailor called via VHS TWICE and was never told the new laws. Simple, easy, and I don't get it, why some people have to be (fill in your appropriate cuss word).
Recently I sent this email to some one: I have a 37' Irwin but haven't a clue as to what a > headstay is. > Forestay? maybe. here is the answer I got back. Refer to page 4 and 89 of this month's SAIL magazine to see that headstay is an acceptable term for this sailboat component. Here is what I later googled: The headstay is the farthest forward of all the stays on the boat. My point is sometimes people don't.....something...I don't get it. Whaen you raed the story, you will find the sailor called via VHS TWICE and was never told the new laws. Simple, easy, and I don't get it, why some people have to be (fill in your appropriate cuss word).
I wonder if we could do the same for people trying to cross our...
southern borders....land or sea. abe
southern borders....land or sea. abe
I may be wrong but.....
This story seems way too outrageous to be true as told in that quick article. When things dont make sense, they usually are interpreted wrongly. As several have stated before, this aint the whole story. IMHO Tony B
This story seems way too outrageous to be true as told in that quick article. When things dont make sense, they usually are interpreted wrongly. As several have stated before, this aint the whole story. IMHO Tony B
I have to watch what I say.
I was born and raised in Australia and left in 1970. I now make my home in Canada. This has nothing to do with the thread but my buddy sent me this story a week ago and had a good laugh at me. What are the rules for Australian cruisers arriving in Canada or the US. I bet they are nothing like the Aussies rule. I agree with all of you that say this is a load of C**P. The rules must have been made by some beauracrat in the land locked capital of Canberra that has never seen a boat. I also think that there is probably more to the story than we are getting in the newspaper accounts. It would be interesting to read the court transcripts. My boat is called " Dancin Bear" ( not to be confused with Dancing Bear). I would also like to advise Australian Customs & Immigration of my someday impending arrival by boat but I think I will wait until I am leaving Hawaii and ask for a response. For now I will continue shovelling snow.
I was born and raised in Australia and left in 1970. I now make my home in Canada. This has nothing to do with the thread but my buddy sent me this story a week ago and had a good laugh at me. What are the rules for Australian cruisers arriving in Canada or the US. I bet they are nothing like the Aussies rule. I agree with all of you that say this is a load of C**P. The rules must have been made by some beauracrat in the land locked capital of Canberra that has never seen a boat. I also think that there is probably more to the story than we are getting in the newspaper accounts. It would be interesting to read the court transcripts. My boat is called " Dancin Bear" ( not to be confused with Dancing Bear). I would also like to advise Australian Customs & Immigration of my someday impending arrival by boat but I think I will wait until I am leaving Hawaii and ask for a response. For now I will continue shovelling snow.
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