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Seal’s back for another summer ARCTO has become a regular attraction at Dromana, but the rules are: look but don’t touch. The adult bull seal first landed on the beach two summers ago and this year took up residence for four days early in January. On warm days beachgoers vying for their own bit of sand make it a bit hard to avoid the Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus), although Arcto seems happy enough to share. “This is Arcto's third straight summer at Dromana and we want to make sure people stay at least 30 metres from him if he does come back," Department of Environment, Land, Water
and Planning (DELWP) authorised officer Abby Smith said. Protected under the Wildlife Act, onlookers must stay at least 30 metres (dogs 50m) from Arcto and not touch or feed him. Ms Smith said she had “checked” the seal when he first appeared this year and found him to be in “fair to average health”. “He is a wild animal in his natural environment and we do not wish to unnecessarily interact with him," she said. "While we understand some people might be curious or excited to see Arcto, the best chance
of him staying in a non-stressed state is if people keep their distance. "We ask also those who might have dogs in the area to take a common sense approach by using a leash and remaining vigilant if Arcto is nearby. Ms Smith said the seal could have “all the time it needs” on the beach before getting “back into the swim of things”. For more information on the regulations, visit www.delwp.vic.gov.au or call 136 186. Sick, injured or distressed marine wildlife can be reported on 0447 158 676.
SAFETY ALERT SA. Maritime No 2015 - 1
NOTICE TO OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF ALL VESSELS Safety alerts are published by Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) under section 197 of the Transport Integration Act 2010 (Vic) to promote the safe operation of transport services. Safety alerts are intended to provide information only and must be read in conjunction with obligations under relevant legislation.
SUBJECT
Recent changes to marine regulations - new definition of Port Phillip Heads. ISSUE A recent coronial inquest prompted Transport Safety Victoria to review the risks to safety for boating in the vicinity of Port Phillip Heads. Recognising the various navigational hazards in the area, TSV sought an expansion to the area defined as Port Phillip Heads within the meaning of the Marine Safety Regulations 2012. This amendment has now taken effect and the new definition of Port Phillip Heads in regulation 4 of the Marine Safety Regulations is: Port Phillip Heads means all the waters between an imaginary line drawn between Short/and Bluff and Point Nepean, and the seaward limits of an imaginary line consisting the arc of a circle with a radius of 3 nautical miles centred on Point Lonsdale. This definition of Port Phillip Heads now includes the area at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay, where conditions are known to present additional risks to vessels operating there. The defined area is shown in the diagram to the right:
LIFEJACKET WEAR IS MANDATORY IN THE RED AREA Port Phillip Heads is a “designated hazardous area” as defined in the regulation 101 4(a): the vessel is crossing or attempting to cross an ocean bar or operating within a designated hazardous area. Additional safety measures are imposed on vessels in designated hazardous areas, including mandatory PFD wearing.
THIS ADVICE IS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
More information about designated hazardous areas is available from our website transportsafety.vic.gov.au/maritime-safety in the Newsroom and in the lifejacket section of chapter 4 of the Victorian Recreational Boating Handbook.
Adrian Mnew Deputy Director, Vessel Safety & NSDCVS ZO551437
PAGE 10
Southern Peninsula News 19 January 2016