A Survey of the Attitudes and Safety Behaviour
Among Recreational Vessel Owners in Western
Australia 2008
School of Population Health
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley WA 6009
Terri J Pikora, Amanpreet Kaur May 2008
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DOCUMENT RETRIEVAL INFORMATION _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Date Pages ISBN May 2008 51 XXXXXXXXX
_____________________________________________________________________________________________ Title A survey of the attitudes and safety behaviour among recreational vessel owners in Western Australia 2008 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Authors Pikora TJ and Kaur A _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Performing Organisation School of Population Health The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway CRAWLEY WA 6009 Tel: (08) 6488 7057 Fax: (08) 6488 1188 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Sponsor Marine Safety Directorate Department for Planning and Infrastructure, Western Australia 1 Essex Street FREMANTLE WA 6160 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Abstract The objective of this study was to monitor safe boater behaviour and attitude towards safety among recreational boat owners and to compare with results from surveys conducted in 2006 and 2003. In addition, it provides baseline information to monitor the effects of the Recreational Skippers Ticket (RST) upon recreational boater attitudes and behaviour toward safety issues. A telephone survey was conducted in February and March 2008 and involved 1002 recreational boaters throughout Western Australia (WA). A response rate of 47.5% was achieved. The majority of items included in the questionnaire were similar with the 2006 and 2003 surveys to allow comparison. Items directly related to the RST where developed and included in the survey. Similar with previous surveys, the majority of boaters surveyed were male, aged 45 years or older and had been boating in the previous 12 months. More than one-third went boating all year and the majority were experienced and reported safety as an important issue. The key marine safety issue that require more focus or effort included the control of boaters under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, boating safety education and control of reckless operation. When asked where they had obtained information about boating safety, less than one-fifth reported that they had not sourced any safety information. Common sources of safety information included DPI, the RST workbook and an RST assessor. While few boaters reported that they did log on or tell someone of their trip when going boating, there was a slight increase from the previous survey. In addition, less than one-quarter reported checking the weather and amongst those that did, the majority accessed this information on the internet. Less than three-quarters of the boaters had completed their RST and of these, one-third reported to changing their behaviour while boating as a result of obtaining the RST. These behaviour changes include higher awareness of boating issues, of boating safety issues, and of rules and regulations. In addition, boaters with their RST more often reported logging on, checking EPIRB and anchor and line, and to regularly servicing the engine compared with those who had not completed their RST. Many of the findings were similar with those form the previous surveys. A small number of boaters reported consuming alcohol, although this may not reflect the true measure of drinking behaviour and developing other measures of alcohol use among this group maybe warranted. Those who have obtained their RST qualification reported changes in their behaviour and they reported attending to safety practices prior to going boating than those who had not obtained their RST. With the introduction of the RST, it remains important to continue to measure and monitor changes in recreational boaters’ attitude and knowledge toward boating safety issues and standards, as well as monitoring changes in behaviour. It is recommended that a focus for education among recreational boaters in several areas: accessing updated weather forecasts; checking fuel and other general boat and equipment; logging on; and the consumption of alcohol. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Keywords Marine Safety, Boats and Boating, Attitudes, Behaviour, Recreational Boaters _____________________________________________________________________________________________
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................... iv
LIST OF FIGURES................................................................................................................... iv
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY........................................................................................................ v
ABBREVIATIONS AND GLOSSARY.................................................................................. vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................... viii
1 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................. 1
2 METHODS............................................................................................................................. 3
2.1 Sampling frame................................................................................................................ 3 2.2 Response rate ................................................................................................................... 3 2.3 Survey instrument ............................................................................................................ 4
3 RESULTS............................................................................................................................... 6
3.1 Demographic information................................................................................................ 6 3.2 Recreational boating characteristics ................................................................................ 6
3.2.1 Comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 characteristics.................................... 6
3.2.2 Comparison between metropolitan and regional characteristics ............................ 9
3.3 Recreational boating safety.............................................................................................. 9 3.4 Recreational boating safety behaviours ......................................................................... 13
3.4.1 Protective behaviours ........................................................................................... 13 3.4.2 Safe boating practices........................................................................................... 17 3.4.2.1 Boating preparation ......................................................................................... 17
3.4.2.2 Weather information sources............................................................................ 19
3.4.2.3 Recreational boating safety equipment ............................................................ 20
3.4.2.4 Recreational boating emergency equipment .................................................... 22
3.4.3 Recreational boating education ............................................................................ 24
3.4.3.1 Recreational Skippers Ticket ............................................................................ 25
3.5 Recreational boating injuries, incidents and near misses ..............................................27
4 DISCUSSION ...................................................................................................................... 29 4.1 Findings ......................................................................................................................... 29 4.2 Limitations ..................................................................................................................... 33 4.3 Recommendations.......................................................................................................... 34
5 REFERRENCES .................................................................................................................. 35
APPENDIX 1 .......................................................................................................................... A1
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1 Characteristics of the vessels included in the sample quota...................................... 3
Table 2.2 Items included in the 2008 questionnaire ............................................................... .. 5
Table 3.1 Demographic characteristics of the sample: comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 survey data........................................................................................................ 6
Table 3.2 Boating characteristics: comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 survey data .... 7
Table 3.3 Boating experience: comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 survey data ........... 8
Table 3.4 Boating characteristics by location............................................................................ 9
Table 3.5 Which marine safety issues require more effort/focus?: comparison between 2008 and 2006 survey data ............................................................................................... 11
Table 3.6 Who has authority and is responsible for ensuring safe boater behaviour?: comparison between 2008 and 2006 survey data .................................................... 12
Table 3.7 Sources of boating safety information: comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 survey data............................................................................................................... 13
Table 3.8 Alcohol-related behaviours among recreational boat owners ................................. 14
Table 3.9 Multivariate analysis of having an alcoholic drink on the most recent boating trip 15
Table 3.10 Multivariate analysis of carrying alcohol on board ................................................. 17
Table 3.11 What do you do when preparing to go boating - unprompted: comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 survey data ............................................................................ 18
Table 3.12 What do you do when preparing to go boating (selected items) - unprompted: comparison between types of vessels ...................................................................... 19
Table 3.13 Sources of weather information: comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 survey data........................................................................................................................... 20
Table 3.14 Recreational boating education ............................................................................... 25
Table 3.15 Influence of RST in changing boater behaviour...................................................... 26
Table 3.16 Boating safety issues requiring more focus/effort depending upon completion of RST.......................................................................................................................... 27
Table 3.17 Recreational boating injuries ................................................................................... 27
Table 3.18 Recreational boating incidents or near misses.........................................................28
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 3.1 Months when respondents go boating: comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 survey data................................................................................................................. 8
Figure 3.2 Recreational boating issues and boating safety issues - unprompted responses ..... 10
Figure 3.3 Type of boating safety equipment carried on board by area go boating most often – unprompted responses .......................................................................................... 21
Figure 3.4 Types of boating safety equipment carried on board by area go boating most often – prompted responses .............................................................................................. 22
Figure 3.5 Types of boating emergency equipment carried on board by area go boating most often – unprompted responses ................................................................................. 23
Figure 3.6 Types of boating emergency equipment carried on board by area go boating most often – prompted responses ..................................................................................... 24
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Objective
The objective of this study was to monitor whether safe boater behaviour and attitudes towards
safety among recreational boat owners had changed since similar surveys have been conducted
in 2006 and 2003. In addition, this study provides baseline information to monitor the effects of
the Recreational Skippers Ticket (RST) upon recreational boater attitudes and behaviours toward
safety issues for future boater surveys.
Methods
A telephone survey was conducted in February and March 2008 and involved 1002 recreational
boaters throughout Western Australia (WA). A response rate of 47.5% was achieved. The
majority of items included in the questionnaire were similar with the 2006 and 2003 surveys to
allow comparison. Items directly related to the RST where developed and included in the survey.
Results
Similar with previous surveys amongst recreational boaters in WA, the majority of the boaters
surveyed were male, aged 45 years or older and had been boating in the previous 12 months.
Many were not members of any boating association and almost one-half carried children aged
less than 12 years on their most recent trip. The majority went boating most often on weekends
or both during the week and on weekends and approximately less than one-quarter went boating
once a week or more frequently. The most common activity was fishing, less than one-half went
boating in protected waters and very few went boating alone. More than one-third of the boaters
went boating all year and the most common months for boating were between November and
April. The majority of the boaters were experienced and reported that safety was an important
issue, both when asked about overall boating issues and about safety issues. The key marine
safety issues that the respondents considered as requiring more focus or effort included the
control of boaters under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding (not seen as an issue in the
previous survey), boating safety education and the control of reckless operation. Few reported
that they had an alcoholic drink or that they carried alcohol on board while on their most recent
trip. When asked who had authority or are responsible for ensuring boater behaviour, the Water
Police were mentioned most frequently followed by boaters or skippers themselves and Marine
Safety.
When asked where they had obtained information about boating safety, less than one-fifth
reported that they had not sourced any safety information (18.0%; 34.4% in 2006 and 37% in
2003) while 29.6% (20.4% in 2006) reported obtaining information from DPI. One-quarter of the
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boaters had sourced this information from the RST workbook (24.8% compared with 6.8% from
the BoatSmart handbook in 2006) and from their RST assessor (17.4% compared with 8.4%
from BoatSmart provider in 2006). While few boaters reported that they did log on or tell
someone of their trip when going boating, there was an increase from the previous survey. In
addition, less than one-quarter reported checking the weather prior to going out boating and
amongst those that did, the majority accessed this information on the internet, an increase on the
previous surveys. Less than three-quarters of the boaters had completed their RST and of these,
one-third reported to having changed their behaviour while boating as a result of obtaining the
RST. These behaviour changes include higher awareness of boating issues, higher awareness of
boating safety issues, and higher awareness of rules and regulations. In addition, boaters with
their RST more often reported logging on, checking EPIRB and anchor and line, and to regularly
servicing the engine compared with those who had not completed their RST. Consistent with the
previous survey, very few boaters reported boating-related injuries and, among those that did,
these were classed as minor, requiring only minor first aid or no treatment.
Discussion
Many of the findings in this survey were similar with those reported in the two previous surveys
among recreational boaters in WA. More boaters were accessing boating safety information,
with common sources being from DPI, the RST workbook and an RST assessor. While a very
small number of recreational boaters reported consuming alcohol while on most recent trip this
may not reflect the true measure of drinking behaviour among boaters as many may have felt
uncomfortable in reporting any drinking. Further exploration of how to measure alcohol use
among this group maybe warranted. That the majority of respondents reported that they did not
log on or tell someone where they were going remains a concern and this may need to be a target
for an education campaign. Few recreational boaters are accessing weather information prior to
going boating and this remains an issue of concern. It is important that more boaters check fuel
supplies and conduct a general boat and equipment check prior to going boating as many marine
sea search and rescue incidents are related to either running our of fuel or breakdowns. Those
who have obtained their RST qualification reported changes in their behaviour and they reported
attending to safety practices prior to going boating than those who had not obtained their RST.
While there were a low number of injuries and the majority of those that were reported were
classed as minor, there is no data collected related to minor injuries collected in WA to allow
comparison. The limitations to this study were that only registered recreational vessels were
included in the sampling frame.
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Recommendations
• With the introduction of the RST, it will be important to continue to measure and monitor
changes in recreational boaters’ attitude and knowledge toward boating safety issues and
standards, as well as monitoring changes in behaviour.
• It is recommended that there is a focus on the education of recreational boaters in several
areas: checking updated weather forecasts; checking fuel and other general boat and
equipment; logging on; and the consumption of alcohol.
o It is important that education strategies be developed to raise awareness of the importance
of accessing regularly updated weather forecasts and to increase the number of
recreational boaters who do so.
o It is also essential to remind boaters of the importance of checking the fuel supply as well
as conducting a general boat and equipment check.
o As few recreational boaters are logging on or telling someone where they are going, this
remains an issue that requires encouragement and reinforcing among this group.
o Although the number of boaters reporting consuming alcohol on their most recent boating
trip were low, it is important to consider the development of an alcohol awareness
education campaign among all boaters.
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ABBREVIATIONS
DPI: Department for Planning and Infrastructure
nM : nautical miles
PWC: Personal watercraft
RST: Recreation Skippers Ticket
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This report was undertaken as part of the marine safety program of research conducted as part of
the Marine Safety Research Fellowship in the School of Population Health at the University of
Western Australia for the Marine Safety Directorate at the Department for Planning and
Infrastructure.
The author would like to acknowledge the contributions of:
• Anne Boucher and Laurie Adams from the Marine Safety Directorate at DPI for providing in
valuable advice.
• The participants who completed the survey.
The information contained in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect
the views of the funding organization.
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1 INTRODUCTION
Western Australia's 12,500 kilometre coastline is an extensive and isolated one.
There are more than 73,000 recreational vessels registered with the Western
Australian Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) (Pikora & Cercarelli,
2004) and an estimated quarter of a million people are using our waterways. A
previous review of boating-related deaths, injuries and incidents among boaters in
Western Australia (WA) found that there were 0.96 deaths per 10,000 registered
vessels, 1.74 hospital admissions per 1,000 vessels, and 18.55 rescues per 1,000
vessels (Pikora & Cercarelli, 2004). It has been suggested that, at a national level, the
cost associated with boating fatalities and serious injury across Australia is in excess
of $370 million each year and that boating incidents are second behind road-related
crashes as a cause of transport injury in Australia (O’Connor, 2004).
Recent research among recreational boaters in WA has explored the influence of
demographic and boating characteristics upon alcohol consumption (Miller & Pikora,
2008). This study found that, while the use of alcohol was not prevalent among WA
recreational boat owners, the odds of not having a drink were associated with
completing a boating education course and carrying children aged less than 12 years
on board. This study recommended that further research is warranted and required to
explore the issue of alcohol consumption among boaters in more detail (Miller &
Pikora, 2008).
In 2006 the Marine Safety Directorate at the WA DPI introduced mandatory
recreational boating education and training in the form of the Recreational Skippers
Ticket (RST). As of April 1 in 2008 all recreational skippers will be required to have
obtained their RST or to have someone on board who has an RST. The RST is a
certificate of competency to operate a boat safely on the water. Prior to this,
voluntary boater education was delivered through a range of educational courses and
programs.
The Recreational Boating Branch at the Marine Safety Directorate at DPI is
responsible for recreational boating safety through educational and promotional
programs. In November 2003 the Marine Safety Directorate at DPI conducted a
survey to assess attitudes towards boating safety and safe boater behaviour among
2
recreational boat owners (Department for Planning and Infrastructure, 2003). This
survey was updated and repeated in March 2006. This current study was designed to
build upon the findings from these previous surveys. Specifically, it was designed to
measure and monitor changes among recreational boaters and to assess the uptake of
the RST and to provide benchmarks of the possible influence that the RST has upon
safety behaviours. In addition, the influence of location, type of vessel and level of
boating education had upon boating–related behaviours were explored.
The specific aims for this study were:
• To measure and monitor changes in recreational boaters’ beliefs, attitudes
and knowledge regarding boating safety issues and standards;
• To explore the relationship between: alcohol consumption while boating and
demographic and boating characteristics among recreational boaters in WA;
and carrying alcohol on board the vessel and demographic and boating
characteristics among recreational boaters in WA;
• To monitor the uptake of the RST and to assess the influence upon
recreational boater beliefs, attitudes and behaviour; and
• To explore the number, type and reporting of incidents and injuries among
recreational boaters in the previous 12 months.
3
2 METHODS
2.1 Sampling frame
The Marine Safety Directorate at DPI maintains a register of all recreational vessels
that are registered in WA. The survey participants were those who reside in WA,
have a current registered recreational vessel with DPI, and have a valid telephone
number. Using this database, 3000 registered recreational vessel owners were
randomly selected. The sampling frame was divided into segments based on vessel
type (ie, open boat, runabout, cabin cruiser, yacht, half cabin, PWC, centre console,
and other) and on regional location (ie, Perth, Peel, Southern). This was so that more
owners with common vessel types were included in larger numbers to reflect
recreational boat owners across the State.
A sample of 1000 adult boaters in both the metropolitan and regional areas of WA
was recruited to participate in a telephone survey using the quotas as identified in
Table 2.1. An independent market research company were supplied with the
telephone numbers and vessel type information. Using a CATI system, the survey
was conducted in February and March 2008. No names or other identifying
information were supplied to the market research company.
Table 2.1 Characteristics of the vessels included in the sample quota
Type of vessel
Metro- politan
Peel South West
Southern Eastern Central North-west
TOTAL
Open boat 180 37 59 25 5 23 39 368 Runabout 142 27 41 19 6 15 17 267 Cabin cruiser 81 13 7 4 1 5 7 118 Yacht 25 2 3 1 1 1 1 34 Half cabin 48 8 7 3 2 4 5 77 PWC 30 2 2 2 1 2 1 40 Centre console 22 3 3 1 1 2 5 37 Other 36 8 7 3 2 2 3 61 TOTAL 564 100 129 58 19 54 78 1002
2.2 Response rate
Recreational boaters were contacted and invited to participate in the survey. If they
did not wish to participate, their telephone number was withdrawn from the sample.
Participants were free to decline answering any questions that they did not want to
answer. No named data was collected and individual participants are not identified in
4
the report. Ethics approval was provided for the study by the UWA Human Ethics
Committee.
The response rate for the telephone survey was 47.5% (ie, 1002 surveys /2109 calls
(including 1034 refused, 16 language barriers, 57 screening)). If the invalid (540),
business (71), mobile (5) and duplicate (1) numbers were included, the response rate
was 36.8% (ie, 1002/2726 total calls).
The data were checked, cleaned and some variables recoded prior to data analysis.
SPSS (version 11 for Windows) was used to analyse the data. Comparisons are made
with the results from the two previous surveys where appropriate; ie, when
differences such as an increase or decrease of 10% or more were found. Due to small
numbers in some of the regions, the location of boaters was collapsed into two
categories to allow for more detailed analysis to be conducted. Differences between
boaters in regional and metropolitan areas and differences in the types of vessel were
explored and discussed where appropriate. To explore differences among boaters
who reported carrying alcohol on board and/or to consuming alcohol on their last trip
logistic regression modelling was conducted. The effects of demographic variables
and boating characteristics were included in the final model when they were
significant (p <0.05) in the single factor models.
2.3 Survey instrument
This current survey was designed to replicate and extend two previous surveys that
were conducted by DPI in November 2003 and March 2006. As shown in Table 2.2,
many of the items from the previous surveys remained the same to allow for
comparison across the surveys while others were modified and several questions
were added. The full questionnaire used in this current study is provided in Appendix
1.
5
Table 2.2 Items included in the 2008 questionnaire
Questionnaire items
2003 survey
2006 survey
2008 survey
2008 new item
Been boating previous 12 months X X � Activities mainly use boat for X X � Years owned boat X X � Years driven boat X X � Where go boating X X � Areas go boating most often X X � Months go boating X X � Days go boating X X � How often go boating X X � Number other people go boating with you X � Children <12 years on board X � Ensure children wear PFD/lifejacket X � Boating issues feel important/are most important X X � Things do preparing to go boating/how often do this X X � Types of safety equipment carried – prompted/ unprompted X � Boating safety issues consider more focus/effort X � Where information about boating safety from X � Completion of formal boating education course X � Heard of RST X � Support introduction of RST X When planning to complete RST X When completed RST – year, month � Effort to obtain RST worthwhile � RST changed behaviour? How? � Who has authority/responsible for safe boater behaviour X X � Carry alcohol on board most recent trip � Drink anything alcoholic last trip X � Attitude toward alcohol drinking – 3 items X * Involved in incident/near miss previous 12 months X � Type of incident X � Reporting incident X � Factors leading to incident X � Any injuries previous 12 months X � Seriousness of injury X � Member of boating association or club X X � Swimming ability X Demographics – household type; gender; age X X �
* Only one item included in 2008 survey
6
3 RESULTS
3.1 Demographic information
The vast majority of recreational boaters sampled were male (92.2%; compared with
79.4% in the 2006 survey and 91% in the 2003 survey), were aged 45 years or older
(70.1%) and described themselves as families with older children or as older couples
with no children at home (66.3%) (Table 3.1). These data are similar to the
demographic characteristics from the previous surveys.
Table 3.1 Demographic characteristics of the sample: comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 survey data
% Characteristics 2008* 2006+ 2003#
Gender Male 92.2 79.4 91 Age 18-24 years 1.3 1.9 3 25-34 years 8.4 5.6 7 35-44 years 20.2 20.9 27 45-54 years 27.6 25.1 25 55-64 years 26.6 23.5 22 65+ years 15.9 23.0 15 Household structure Single living at home or out of home 8.1 8.8 - Young couple no children 2.9 4.8 - Family with children aged 12 or under 22.7 18.2 - Family with older children 27.8 25.2 - Older couple with no children at home 38.5 43.0 -
* n=1002; + n=500; # n=405
3.2 Recreational boating characteristics
The recreational boaters were asked a number of questions related to their boating
behaviours including when and where they go boating most frequently, the number
of people they go boating with, and whether they had children aged less than 12
years on board. Firstly, the data across the three surveys are compared followed by a
comparison between regional and metropolitan areas when differences were found.
3.2.1 Comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 boating characteristics
The majority of the sample had been boating in the previous 12 months (90.1%) and
were not a member of any boating association (73.4%) (Table 3.2). Almost one-half
of the boaters (46.1%) carried children aged less than 12 years on board on their
7
most recent trip. The majority of the boaters went boating most often on weekends
(52.7%) or both during the week and on weekends (33.0%). Less than one-quarter
(22.9%; 32.2% in 2006) went boating once a week or more frequently, while the
most common activity was fishing (68.2%; 79.0% in 2006) and less than one-half
(40.3%) went boating in protected waters. Very few respondents reported that they
went boating alone (2.5%).
Table 3.2 Boating characteristics: comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 survey data
% Characteristics 2008* 2006+ 2003#
Boating previous 12 months 90.1 88.4 - Member boating association 26.6 25.8 26 Carry children under 12 years on board 46.1 40.4 - Days go boating Weekend 52.7 46.4 64 Weekdays 14.3 15.6 33 Both 33.0 38.0 3 Boating frequency More than once a week 9.7 14.6 14 Once a week 13.2 17.6 22 Every couple of weeks 36.1 29.6 34 Once a month 22.4 21.0 19 Less than once a month 18.7 17.2 11 Activities1 Fishing 68.2 79.0 85 Cruising/motoring 19.0 33.0 33 Water sports (eg, skiing, wakeboarding) 8.5 10.4 11 Diving 3.0 8.2 18 Racing 0.6 2.0 3 Other 0.8 3.6 0 Number people usually go boating with 0 2.5 2.8 - 1 – 2 55.3 58.0 - 3 – 4 32.1 30.2 - 5+ 9.4 9.0 - Location go boating most often Protected waters 40.3 42.6 35 Within 2nM from mainland 16.4 14.6 21 Between 2 & 5nM from mainland 17.5 16.2 17 More than 5nM from mainland 25.8 26.6 26
* n=1002; + n=500; # n=405 1 multiple response allowed in 2006, 2003; one response in 2008.
More than one-third of the boaters went boating all year (36.7%) and the most
common months for boating were between November and April (Figure 3.1). These
results are similar with those in the two previous surveys.
8
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Month
%
2008 2006 2003
Figure 3.1 Months when respondents go boating: comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 survey data
Table 3.3 presents the boaters’ experience in driving, owning and overall boating
experience across the three surveys. The majority of the boaters had more than ten
years overall boating experience (74.0%), two-thirds had more than ten years
experience driving a boat (65.6%), and one-half had owned a boat for more than ten
years (49.7%). These results may reflect that there was an older group of respondents
in the survey and are comparable to those reported in the two previous surveys.
Table 3.3 Boating experience: comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 survey data
Years
Overall Boating Experience
Driving Boat
Boat Ownership
2008* 2006+ 2003# 2008* 2006+ 2003# 2008* 2006+ 2003# ≤2 4.5 7.2 5 8.1 11.2 7 14.4 14.5 16 3 – 5 7.4 7.0 9 8.2 9.2 18 14.7 15.9 19 6 – 10 13.2 12.9 13 16.7 14.3 16 20.5 20.5 21 11 + 74.0 72.9 74 65.6 65.3 59 49.7 53.2 45
* n=1002; + n=500; # n=405
9
3.2.2 Comparison between metropolitan and regional boating characteristics
Several differences were found based on the boaters’ location (Table 3.4). More
regional boaters reported that they went boating more often on both week days and
weekends than metropolitan boaters (42.6% compared with 28.2%) and that they
went boating all year (42.3% compared with 33.9%). In addition, more regional
boaters reported that the main activity was fishing (77.8% compared with 63.3%),
while fewer went cruising and/or motoring (10.9% compared with 23.0%).
Conversely, more metropolitan boaters reported going boating most often in
protected waters than regional boaters (44.3% compared with 32.5%) and less often
went further off shore (14.0% go within 2nM from the mainland compared with
21.0% of regional boaters). Similarly there were differences between location and the
number of people boaters usually went boating with. Metropolitan boaters reported
that they went boating with three or more people more often than the regional boaters
(44.9% compared with 35.6%).
Table 3.4 Boating characteristics by location
% Characteristics Metropolitan a Regionalb Days go boating Weekend 55.0 48.2 Weekdays 16.9 9.2 Both 28.2 42.6 Activities Fishing 63.3 77.8 Cruising/motoring 23.0 10.9 Number people usually go boating with 0 2.1 3.3 1 – 2 53.0 61.1 3 – 4 34.8 27.5 5+ 10.1 8.1 Location go boating most often Protected waters 44.3 32.5 Within 2nM from mainland 14.0 21.0 Between 2 & 5nM from mainland 16.7 18.9 More than 5nM from mainland 25.0 27.5
a n=664; b n=338
3.3 Recreational boating safety
When asked “When thinking about boating, which issues do you feel are important?”
safety was the first mentioned response for one-half of the respondents (50.8%;
10
65.8% in 2006 and 73% in 2003). Other responses included weather (8.5%),
knowledge about boating/education/training (5.5%), safe launching areas/more
ramps/lack of ramps (5.2%), condition/maintenance of boat and equipment (3.8%)
and safety equipment (2.3%). These responses are similar with those reported in the
previous surveys.
When asked “When thinking about recreational boating safety, which issues are most
important to you?” safety was again the first mentioned response (17.4%) followed
by safety equipment (14.4%), life jackets/flares (9.7%), knowledge and obeying the
rules and regulations (9.4%), condition/maintenance of boat and equipment (7.8%),
weather (7.4%), and knowledge about boating/education/training (5.2%). Figure 3.2
provides the range of the common responses from the respondents to both overall
issues and safety issues. Again, these responses are similar those reported in the
previous surveys. One safety issue was considered more important among regional
boaters than metropolitan boaters: the condition/maintenance of boat and equipment
(11.5% most important among regional compared with 5.9% among metropolitan
boaters).
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Knowledge/obeying rules & regulations
Life jacket/flares
Condition/maintenance of boat & equipment
Safe launching areas/more ramps/lack of facilities
Safety equipment
Knowledge about boating/education/training
Weather
Safety
% Overall issues Safety issues
Figure 3.2 Recreational boating issues and boating safety issues - unprompted responses
11
The boaters were asked about which marine safety issues require more effort or
focus. The control of boaters under the influence of alcohol or drugs was the issue
considered as requiring more focus among the boaters (61.3%; 31.6% in 2006),
followed by speeding (58.4%; 0.8 in 2006). In addition, one-half of the boaters
(56.1%; 39.0% in 2006) suggested that boating safety education and the control of
reckless operation (55.3%; 30.2% in 2006) also required more focus or effort.
Interestingly, very few respondents (2.9%) thought that there were no issues that
required more effort or focus (Table 3.5). There were no differences reported by
boaters in metropolitan and regional locations related to marine safety issues that
required more effort or focus.
Table 3.5 Which marine safety issues require more effort/focus?: comparison between 2008 and 2006 survey data
% Marine safety issues1 2008* 2006+
Control of boaters under influence of alcohol or drugs 61.3 31.6 Speeding 58.4 0.8 Boating safety education 56.1 39.0 Control of reckless operation 55.3 30.2 Other 1.9 3.4 Nothing 2.9 2.2
1Multiple responses allowed;* n=1002; + n=500
The boaters were asked who they believed to have the authority and are responsible
for ensuring that boaters behave safely on the water. Less than one-fifth suggested
that the skipper or the boater themselves had the authority and were responsible for
ensuring safe boater behaviour (18.5%; 31.0% in 2006 and 0% in 2003). Other
authorities mentioned frequently included the Water Police (28.6%), Marine Safety
(16.3%) and the Department for Planning and Infrastructure (13.1%). A combination
or mixture of the various authorities was suggested by 14.8% of the boaters. As
shown in Table 3.6, a range of organisations were mentioned as having authority.
Apart from the skipper or boater and a combination of people having the authority or
being responsible, the remaining results are consistent with those reported in the two
previous surveys. Two differences were found based on boater location: more
metropolitan boaters believed that the Water Police were responsible than regional
boaters (32.5% compared with 21.0%) and more regional boaters believed that
12
Fisheries were responsible than their metropolitan counterparts (9.2% compared with
3.2%).
Table 3.6 Who has authority and is responsible for ensuring safe boater behaviour?: comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 survey data
% Who has authority & responsibility 2008* 2006+ 2003#
Water Police 28.6 29.0 35 Skipper/boaters 18.5 31.0 - Marine Safety 16.3 16.0 - Combination/mixture 14.8 - - DPI 13.7 8.6 22 Fisheries 5.2 7.6 8 Don’t know/unsure 2.1 2.6 - Harbour and Lights 0.2 1.8 17 Sea Rescue 0.3 1.0 - Marine and Harbours 0.2 0.6 30 Nobody 0.2 0.4 -
* n=1002; + n=500; # n=405
When asked where they had obtained information about boating safety, less than
one-fifth of the respondents reported that they had not sourced any safety
information (18.0%; 34.4% in 2006 and 37% in 2003) while 29.6% (20.4% in 2006)
had obtained information from DPI and 9.3% from media advertising (Table 3.7). Of
note is that nearly one-quarter (24.8%) had sourced this information from the RST
workbook (6.8% from BoatSmart handbook in 2006) and 17.4% from their RST
assessor (8.4% from BoatSmart provider in 2006). In addition, the number of boaters
sourcing information from the internet has increased from 8.0% in 2006 to 13.8% in
2008. The only difference found based on the location of the boaters was that
metropolitan boaters reported that they sourced safety information from the internet
more than twice the number of regional boaters (16.9% compared with 7.7%).
13
Table 3.7 Sources of boating safety information: comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 survey data
% Safety information sources 2008* 2006+ 2003# DPI 29.6 20.4 8 RST workbook (BoatSmart handbook) 24.8 6.8 16 None 18.0 34.4 37 RST assessor (BoatSmart provider) 17.4 8.4 2 Internet 13.8 8.0 8 Media advertising (TV/radio/press) 9.3 11.0 18 Boating books, magazines, booklets 8.0 - 2 Friends 6.8 5.4 5 Yacht or boating club 5.7 9.0 3 Marine equipment shop 4.7 3.2 6 Boating communities newsletter 4.6 2.2 - Marine and Harbours 4.5 5.2 6 Boat shows 4.4 2.4 10 Marine safety trailer 1.5 0 - Public safety demonstrations 0.9 0.4 0
* n=1002; + n=500; # n=405
3.4 Recreational boating safety behaviours
This section is divided into three sections based on the different methods that boaters
can undertake to reduce their risk when boating. In this report, these are separated
into: protective behaviours that keep boaters and their passengers’ safe; safe boating
practices undertaken when preparing to go boating; and participation in formal
boating education courses.
3.4.1 Protective behaviours
Among those who had children aged less than 12 years on board in the previous 12
months (46.1%), the majority (70.6%) ensured that these children always wore a life
jacket. These results are consistent with the findings from the 2006 survey.
Approximately one-quarter (26.2%) of the boaters reported that they carried alcohol
on board on their most recent boating trip, while almost one-fifth (19.5%) reported
that they had had a drink of alcohol on their last trip (Table 3.8). As shown in Table
3.8, and similar to the results in the previous survey, more boaters (49.1%) agreed
than disagreed (39.4%) that it is safe for passengers to drink as long as the skipper
does not drink any alcohol. When assessed based on boater location, more
14
metropolitan boaters agreed or strongly agreed with this statement whereas slightly
more regional boaters disagreed or strongly disagreed (Table 3.8).
Table 3.8 Alcohol-related behaviours among recreational boat owners
% Overall* Metropolitana Regionalb Carry alcohol on last boat trip – yes 26.2 29.4 20.1 Had a drink of alcohol on last trip – yes 19.5 22.1 14.2 It is safe for passengers to drink alcohol as long as the skipper does not: Agree strongly/agree 49.1 57.7 42.0 Neither agree nor disagree 11.5 6.3 12.2 Disagree strongly/disagree 39.4 36.0 45.8
* n= 1002; a n=664; b n=338
As shown in Table 3.9, five variables were significantly and independently
associated with alcohol consumption on the most recent boating trip. After
adjustment for all the other variables, the odds of consuming alcohol was
significantly associated (p<0.05) with age, location, type of activity, the location go
boating most often and carrying children aged less than 12 years on board. The odds
of drinking alcohol on the most recent trip decreased significantly as the age of the
boater decreased (test for trend p≤0.000). Compared with those aged over 50 years,
younger boaters were significantly less likely to report consuming alcohol on their
most recent trip (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.43-0.90 for those aged 35-49 years and OR
0.42; 95% CI 0.25-0.72 for those aged 18-34 years). Similarly, compared to boaters
who reported using their vessel for fishing, those who went cruising or motoring
were 53% less likely to have consumed alcohol (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.32 – 0.70). In
addition, when compared to boaters who most often went boating in protected
waters, those who most often went boating more than 5 nautical miles from the
mainland were less likely to consume alcohol (OR 0.44; 95% CI 0.30 – 0.64).
In contrast there were two factors that increased the likelihood of drinking alcohol:
the location and not having children aged less than 12 years on board. Compared
with boaters from the metropolitan area, boaters from regional areas were 73% more
likely to consume alcohol (95% CI 1.19-2.53). Similarly, compared with those
boaters who carry children aged less than 12 years on board, those who did not have
15
children onboard were 66% more likely to report consuming alcohol (95% CI 1.18-
2.34).
Table 3.9 Multivariate analysis of having an alcoholic drink on the most recent boating trip
Factors Single factor
Final Model
OR OR p-value 95% CI Demographic Characteristics Age
50+ years 1.00 1.00 35-49 years 0.56 0.62 0.011 (0.43 – 0.90) 18-34 years 0.46 0.42 0.002 (0.25 – 0.72)
Location Metropolitan 1.00 1.00 Regional 1.72 1.73 0.004 (1.19 – 2.53)
Number people go boating with 1-2 1.00 * 3 or more 0.59 Alone 4.65
Boating characteristics Carry any children <12 years on board
Yes 1.00 1.00 No 1.91 1.66 0.004 (1.18 – 2.34)
Activities Fishing 1.00 1.00 Cruising / motoring 0.45 0.47 ≤0.000 (0.32 – 0.70) Water sports 1.27 1.58 0.187 (0.80 – 3.13) Other 1.63 1.57 0.363 (0.59 – 4.19)
Location go boating most often Protected waters 1.00 1.00 Within 5 nM of mainland 1.63 0.98 0.901 (0.66 – 1.44) More than 5 nM from mainland 0.63 0.44 ≤0.000 (0.30 – 0.64)
OR – odds ratio; CI – confidence interval; *factor not significant in final model.
As shown in Table 3.10, six variables were significantly and independently
associated with carrying alcohol on board. After adjustment for all the other
variables, the odds of carrying alcohol was significantly associated (p<0.05) with
age, location, number of people that boaters go boating with, carrying children aged
less than 12 years on board, type of activity, and the location the boater goes boating
most often. The odds of carrying alcohol on board decreased significantly as the age
of the boater decreased (test for trend p≤0.000). Compared with those aged over 50
years, younger boaters were less likely to report carrying alcohol on board (OR 0.61;
95% CI 0.43-0.87 among those aged 35-49 years and OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.20-0.87
among those aged 18-34 years). Similarly, compared to boaters who reported going
16
boating with 1 or 2 others, those who went with 3 or more people were 38% less
likely to carry alcohol (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.45 – 0.86). In addition, when compared to
boaters who most often went boating in protected waters, those who most often went
boating more than 5 nautical miles from the mainland were less likely to carry
alcohol (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.40 – 0.88).
In contrast there were two factors that increased the likelihood of carrying alcohol:
the location and not having children aged less than 12 years on board. Compared
with boaters from the metropolitan area, boaters from regional areas were 65% more
likely to carry alcohol (95% CI 1.17-2.33). Similarly, compared with those boaters
who carry children aged less than 12 years on board, those who did not have children
onboard were 49% more likely to report carrying alcohol (95% CI 1.08-2.05).
One factor provided both positive and negative influence on carrying alcohol: the
activities undertaken most often. When compared with fishing, those who reported
using their vessel for cruising or motoring were less likely to report carrying alcohol
(OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.27 – 0.56) while those who use their vessel for water sports
were more likely to report carrying alcohol (OR 2.61; 95% CI 1.31 – 2.19).
17
Table 3.10 Multivariate analysis of carrying alcohol on board
Factors Single factor
Final Model
OR OR p-value 95% CI Demographic Characteristics Age
50+ years 1.00 1.00 35-49 years 0.54 0.61 0.005 (0.43 – 0.87) 18-34 years 0.36 0.33 ≤0.000 (0.20 – 0.87)
Location Metropolitan 1.00 1.00 Regional 1.65 1.65 0.004 (1.17 – 2.33)
Number people go boating with 1-2 1.00 1.00 3 or more 0.49 0.62 0.004 (0.45 – 0.86) Alone 3.01 1.91 0.394 (0.43 – 8.48)
Boating characteristics Carry any children <12 years on board
Yes 1.00 1.00 No 1.78 1.49 0.016 (1.08 – 2.05)
Activities Fishing 1.00 1.00 Cruising / motoring 0.38 0.39 ≤0.000 (0.27 – 0.56) Water sports 1.82 2.61 0.006 (1.31 – 2.19) Other 1.01 1.12 0.786 (0.51 – 2.45)
Location go boating most often Protected waters 1.00 1.00 Within 5 nM of mainland 1.25 2.26 0.145 (0.90 – 2.09) More than 5 nM from mainland 0.48 0.59 0.009 (0.40 – 0.88)
OR – odds ratio; CI – confidence interval.
3.4.2 Safe boating practices
This subsection is divided into four sections. The first identifies activities that are
undertaken by boaters when preparing to go boating; the second explores the sources
that boaters obtain weather information from; the third identifies the boating safety
equipment that is carried on board; while the last section identifies the emergency
equipment that is on board.
3.4.2.1 Boating preparation
The boaters were asked to describe the range of activities they do when preparing to
go boating without prompting from the interviewer, ie, top of mind responses. Table
3.11 provides a comparison of the results across the three surveys. Many of the
boaters reported that they checked their fuel supply (60.0%) and attended to a
general boat and equipment check (55.8%) Fewer boaters reported checking the life
jackets or PFD’s (42.4%), the batteries on board (29.0%) and flares (27.4%). Of
18
concern is that only approximately one-quarter reported checking the weather
conditions before going boating (23.1%) and this has not changed since the previous
survey. In addition, few respondents reported logging on (8.0%; 4.4% in 2006) and,
although the vast majority of the boaters went boating with other people, only 15.0%
reported that they told someone where they were going and 11.1% (6.6% in 2006)
reported showing their passengers safety equipment. Differences were found
between boater location and two of the activities undertaken when preparing to go
boating: regional boaters reported less often that they showed their passengers safety
equipment (8.9% compared with 12.2% among metropolitan boaters) although they
more often reported informing someone of their trip details (83.4% compared with
72.9% among metropolitan boaters).
Table 3.11 What do you do when preparing to go boating - unprompted: comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 survey data
% Preparing to go boating 2008* 2006+ 2003#
Check fuel supply 60.0 60.8 64 General boat & equipment check 55.8 52.4 68 Check life jackets/PFD’s 42.4 45.4 53 Check batteries 29.0 34.8 21 Check flares 27.4 27.2 41 Check weather conditions 23.1 22.2 16 Regularly service engine 24.1 18.4 - Check anchor and line 18.4 16.6 23 Check radio 19.9 15.8 27 Check EPIRB 17.6 15.0 23 Check boat stability 12.7 13.0 - Inform someone of trip details 15.0 12.2 13 Check bucket or bailer 13.8 10.6 6 Show passengers safety equipment 11.0 6.6 - Log on 8.0 4.4 -
* n=1002; + n=500; # n=405
When the activities undertaken when preparing to go boating were explored based on
type of vessel differences were found in several of the activities (Table 3.12). While
the overall rate among the boaters who reported to have checked the fuel supply was
60.0%, fewer yacht owners did so (42.4%). Furthermore, checking the weather
conditions varied across the different vessel types with more than one-third of cabin
cruiser (34.7%) and yacht owners (33.3%), and only one in five open boat owners
19
(19.0%) and one in ten centre console owners (8.1%) reported checking the weather
prior to going boating. While the overall rates of logging on (8.0%) and informing
someone of their trip details (15.0%) were low, these preparation activities were
much lower among open boat owners (4.0% and 10.2% respectively) and PWC
owners (0% and 10.0% respectively). The owners of half cabins reported higher rates
across all the activities undertaken when preparing to go boating compared to the
overall rates (see Table 3.12).
Table 3.12 What do you do when preparing to go boating (selected items) - unprompted: comparison between types of vessels
Preparing to go boating % Vessel type
n
Check fuel
supply
Check weather
conditions
Check
batteries
Inform someone
trip details
Log on Open boat 374 63.1 19.0 19.5 10.2 4.0 Runabout 267 62.2 23.3 41.9 20.2 10.5 Cabin cruiser 118 55.1 34.7 32.2 14.4 11.9 Half cabin 77 53.2 27.3 35.1 23.4 16.9 Other 56 58.9 21.4 26.8 12.5 8.9 PWC 40 52.5 25.0 17.5 10.0 0 Centre console 37 67.6 8.1 29.7 16.2 8.1 Yacht 33 42.4 33.3 24.2 18.2 6.1 Overall 1002 60.0 23.1 29.0 15.0 8.0
3.4.2.2 Weather information sources
Among those boaters who reported assessing weather conditions when preparing to
go boating, those who had checked were asked where they sourced the weather
information from (Table 3.13). Almost three-quarters (74.0%) sourced the weather
information on the internet (compared with 46.8% in 2006 and 25% in 2003). Other
common sources mentioned included a visual assessment (42.3%; 3.6% in 2006),
television weather reports (27.3%; 40.5% in 2006 and 47% in 2003), AM/FM radio
reports (16.9%; 27.9% in 2006 and 23% in 2003) and newspapers (9.5%; 16.2% in
2006 and 20% in 2003).
20
Table 3.13 Sources of weather information: comparison between 2008, 2006 and 2003 survey data
% Source of weather information 2008* 2006+ 2003#
Internet 74.0 46.8 25 Visual 42.3 3.6 11 Television weather reports 27.3 40.5 47 AM/FM radio reports 16.9 27.9 23 Newspaper 9.5 16.2 20 Marine radio reports 7.8 10.0 - Other 11.3 1.8 6
*Multiple responses allowed; * n=231; + n=111; # n=65
When sources of weather information were explored based on location, there were
few differences reported. More regional boaters reported using visual methods than
metropolitan boaters (57.4% compared with 41.8%). In contrast to the findings based
on where boaters accessed boating safety information, more regional boaters reported
using the internet to access weather information than metropolitan boaters (70.7%
compared with 64.3%).
3.4.2.3 Recreational boating safety equipment
The boaters were asked about the safety equipment that they carry on board. These
responses were analysed separately for the area that they go boating most often.
Figure 3.3 summarises the top of mind (unprompted) responses and Figure 3.4 the
prompted responses.
As shown in Figure 3.3, the majority of the boaters reported carrying PFD’s or life
jackets (overall 83.0%) regardless of where they went boating most often. Other
safety equipment carried frequently included an anchor and line (overall 52.2%) with
no difference between the areas where boating occurs most often; a marine radio
(overall 39.9%), although this was more commonly reported among those go more
than 2 nM from the mainland; and a bilge pump or bail bucket (overall 50.0%).
21
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
PFD’s or life jackets
Anchor and line
Marine radio
Bilge pump or bail bucket
Cellular phone
Flashlights
Tool kit
GPS
Compass
Navigation lights
General maps
Navigation chartsB
oat
ing s
afet
y eq
uip
men
t
%
overall Protected waters <2 nM from mainland >2 & <5 nM from mainland >5 nM from mainland
Figure 3.3 Type of boating safety equipment carried on board by area go boating most often – unprompted responses
As shown in Figure 3.4 when the boaters were prompted with a list of safety
equipment the responses changed. The vast majority of the boaters in the survey
reported carrying lifejackets (overall 97.4%) regardless of the areas the boater went
most often. Similarly, many boaters reported carrying a tool kit (overall 81.1%) and
this was consistent across the areas boaters used most often. Other safety equipment
reported to be carried frequently with little difference between the areas used for
boating most often included an anchor and line (overall 92.0% in 2008 compared
with 56.6% in 2006); a bilge pump or bail bucket (overall 85.0% in 2008 compared
with 57.8% in 2006); and a mobile phone (overall 83.0% in 2008 compared with
53.8% in 2006). There were more differences between the equipment reported to be
carried depending on the areas boaters go boating most often. Not surprising, more
boaters who went boating more than 5nM from the mainland reported carrying a
range of safety equipment when compared with those who stay closer to the
mainland (Figure 3.4).
22
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
PFD’s or life jackets
Anchor and line
Marine radio
Bilge pump or bail bucket
Cellular phone
Flashlights
Tool kit
GPS
Compass
Navigation lights
General maps
Navigation charts
Bo
atin
g s
afe
ty e
qu
ipm
en
t
%
overall Protected waters <2 nM from mainland >2 & <5 nM from mainland >5 nM from mainland
Figure 3.4 Types of boating safety equipment carried on board by area go boating most often – prompted responses
3.4.2.4 Recreational boating emergency equipment
The boaters were asked about the types of boating emergency equipment that they
carry on board. These responses were analysed separately for the area that they go
boating most often. Figure 3.5 summarises the top of mind responses (ie,
unprompted) and Figure 3.6 the prompted responses.
As shown in Figure 3.5, the many boaters reported carrying visual distress signals
(eg, flares, flags) (overall 66.2%) regardless of where they go boating most often.
Other emergency equipment carried frequently included an EPIRB (overall 50.7%); a
fire extinguisher (overall 25.5%); and a first aid kit (overall 20.0%). Apart from
carrying an EPIRB on board, there was little or no difference between the areas
23
where boaters went boating most often and whether this equipment were reported to
be carried on board. These results are consistent with the findings from the previous
survey.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Visual distress signals
EPIRB
Fire ext inguisher
First aid kit
Safety rope
Equipment to reach someone in water
Ring/other flotat ion device
Sound signals (eg, horns, whistles)
Bo
atin
g e
me
rge
ncy
eq
uip
men
t
%
overall Protected waters <2 nM from mainland >2 & <5 nM from mainland >5 nM from mainland
Figure 3.5 Types of boating emergency equipment carried on board by area go boating most often – unprompted responses
As shown in Figure 3.6, when the boaters were provided with a list of emergency
equipment these responses altered. Many of the boaters reported carrying visual
distress signals (overall 87.4%); a safety rope (overall 80.9% compared with 58.8%
in 2006); equipment for reaching someone in the water (overall 65.1% compared
with 49.2% in 2006); a first aid kit (overall 69.5 compared with 45.6% in 2006); and
a fire extinguisher (overall 69.5% compared with 41.2% in 2006) and this was
consistent across the different areas boaters went boating most often. Many of the
boaters reported carrying EPIRB’s (overall 63.6%), although this varied depending
on the areas that were used most often.
24
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Visual distress signals
EPIRB
Fire extinguisher
First aid kit
Safety rope
Equipment to reach someone in water
Ring/other flotation device
Sound signals (eg, horns, whistles)B
oatin
g s
afe
ty e
quip
me
nt
%
overall Protected waters <2 nM from mainland >2 & <5 nM from mainland >5 nM from mainland
Figure 3.6 Types of boating emergency equipment carried on board by area go boating most often – prompted responses
3.4.3 Recreational boating education
The majority of respondents had completed a boating education course. Less than
one-quarter (28.3%) had not completed a course compared with 72.6% in 2006 and
64% in the 2003 survey. Of those who had completed a course, almost one-half
(47.9%) reported completing their RST, 6.4% obtained a formal qualification either
overseas or in some other state in Australia, 5.5% a commercial course, 4.6% a
National Powerboat Scheme (TL3), and 2.2% a BoatSmart course (Table 3.14).
25
Table 3.14 Recreational boating education
Type of Boating Education %
(n=1002)
Completed RST qualification 47.9
Not completed any education 23.8
Formal qualification 6.4
Commercial course 5.5
National Powerboat Scheme (TL3) 4.6
BoatSmart 2.2
Clubs/Sea Rescue/FESA/Water Police 1.4
Other 7.9
The characteristics of those who reported attending some boater education course
were those with more years of experience (55.6% with 11 or more years experience
compared with 3.4% with less than 2 years), were not members of a boating
association (55.2%), were 35 years or older (90.3%), and were older couples with no
children at home (37.8%). These results are similar to those found in the 2006
survey.
3.4.3.1 Recreational Skippers Ticket
When asked about the RST, the vast majority (99.0%) reported that they had heard
about it compared to 73.2% in 2006 survey. At the time of the survey, the majority of
boaters (69.3%) had completed their RST, with one-quarter (27%) completing in the
first year (2006) and 42.2% during 2007 and 2008. More than one-half of RST
holders were 45 years or older (58.7%), male (93.9%) and were from metropolitan
areas (55.9%). In addition, those with their RST were more experienced (eg, 79.3%
had 11 or more years boating experience), older couples with no children at home
(42.2%) and were not members of a boating association (68.2%).
When asked whether the effort of obtaining their RST was worthwhile, 84% of
boaters reported that it was. In addition, one-third (34.0%) reported that they had
changed their behaviour while boating as a result of obtaining their RST. These
26
behaviour changes included higher awareness of boating issues (26.1%), boating
safety issues (24.4%), and rules and regulations (20.1%) (see Table 3.15).
Table 3.15 Influence of RST in changing boater behaviour
Behaviour Change %
(n=234)
Increased awareness about boating issues 26.1
Increased awareness about boating safety issues 24.4
Increased awareness about rules and regulations 20.1
General improvement 12.4
Increased knowledge 3.8
Other 13.2
When prompted with safety behaviours undertaken prior to going boating, more
boaters with their RST reported logging on, checking the EPIRB and the anchor and
line, and regularly servicing the engine compared with those who had not completed
their RST. When asked 46.1% boaters reported carrying children less than 12 years
of age on board and 70.6% of these reported that children ‘always’ wore lifejackets
while on board compared with 10% who said they ‘never’ wore them.
As shown in Table 3.16, there were minor differences among RST and non-RST
holders when asked about boating safety issues they considered as requiring more
focus. Irrespective of the RST status, the majority of the boaters (61.0%) reported
that the ‘control of boaters under the influence of alcohol or drugs’ as the issue which
demands more effort. Many of the boaters who had not completed their RST rated
‘boating safety education’ as the second most important boat safety issue (58.4%) as
requiring more focus while the boaters with their RST rated it as the fourth least
important boating safety issue (55.0%).
27
Table 3.16 Boating safety issues requiring more focus/effort depending upon completion of RST
* multiple responses allowed, n=1002
3.5 Recreational boating injuries, incidents and near misses
As shown in Table 3.17, few boaters reported that they had suffered an injury while
on board a boat (12.4% (n=124) compared with 9.2% in 2006 and 6% in 2003). The
majority of the boating injuries reported were cuts and lacerations (73.4%) and most
required only minor first aid (44.9%) or no treatment (71.9%).
Table 3.17 Recreational boating injuries
Boating injury n Any injury 124 Type of injury: Cuts & lacerations 91 Fractures/broken bones 5 Burns 8 Concussion 2 Level of seriousness: Serious with hospital stay 4 Moderate with General Practitioner or Emergency Department visit
10
Minor with first aid 45 No treatment required 72
As shown in Table 3.18, few respondents reported experiencing an incident or near
miss (6.8% (n=68) compared with 5.4% in 2006). Among those who had an incident
or near miss, very few (23.5%) had reported these to the authorities (14.8% in 2006).
In addition, 38.2% of those who had experienced an incident or near miss suggested
that this was the result of reckless or careless operation while 26.5% saw that it was
due to a lack of boating skills (11.1% in 2006).
Rating Non-RST Holder* % RST Holder* %
1. Control of boaters under influence of alcohol or drugs
61.0 Control of boaters under influence of alcohol or drugs
61.4
2. Boating safety education 58.4 Speeding 59.5 3. Speeding 55.8 Control of reckless operation 55.9 4. Control of reckless operation 53.9 Boating safety education 55.0
28
There were differences found based on location. Twice as many metropolitan (8.0%)
than regional boaters (4.4%) reported that they had been involved in a boating-
related incident or a near miss. While these numbers are small, 18.9% of the
metropolitan boaters who had been involved in an incident or near miss reported this
to the authorities while 40.0% of regional boaters did.
Table 3.18 Recreational boating incidents or near misses
Boating incident or near miss n Experienced incident or near miss 69 Reported incident 16 Factors leading to the incident: Reckless or careless operation 26 Operator error 15 Weather or sea conditions 5 Operator inexperience 15 Lack of boating skills 18 Speed 9 Inadequate lookout 12 Alcohol use 5 Mechanical or structural failure 8
29
4 DISCUSSION
4.1 Findings
The purpose of this study was to measure and monitor changes in recreational
boaters’ attitude and knowledge regarding safety issues and standards; to monitor the
uptake of the RST and to assess the influence upon recreational boater beliefs,
attitudes and behaviour; and to explore the number, type and reporting of incidents
and injuries among recreational boaters in the previous 12 months.
The demographic characteristics from the current survey were similar with those in
the two previous surveys. The main difference was that fewer females were included
in the current survey compared to the 2006 survey that may reflect a more rigid
approach with the recruiting strategy. When compared with the previous survey,
fewer boaters reported going boating once a week or more frequently and that fishing
as a common activity was lower. The drop in frequency may be due to differences in
weather conditions, while the finding of fewer boaters going fishing may be due to
fishing areas being reduced. When compared with metropolitan boaters, more
regional boaters reported going boating on both week days and weekends, that they
went boating all year round, and that their main activity was fishing. This finding
may reflect that regional boaters may have or take more advantage of opportunities
for recreational boating compared with metropolitan boaters. In contrast,
metropolitan boaters reported going boating with three or more people more often
than regional boaters and this may reflect that these boaters more often go cruising or
motoring. Another option for these differences is that the question was worded
differently in the current survey whereby the respondents were asked for one
response rather than allowing for multiple responses.
Safety remained an important issue for the majority of the recreational boaters in the
survey, both when asked about overall boating issues (ie, unprompted) and safety
issues (ie, prompted). One safety issue was considered as more important among
regional boaters than metropolitan boaters when prompted with a list of issues: the
condition and/or maintenance of the boat and equipment. This may reflect that
regional boaters may be more aware of issues that may arise due to poor vessel
condition and that they need to maintain their vessel.
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The key marine safety issues that were considered by the respondents as requiring
more focus or effort included the control of boaters under the influence of alcohol or
drugs, speeding, boating safety education, and the control of reckless operation. This
reflects a change in the order of these issues when compared with the previous
surveys perhaps reflecting that boaters are more aware of issues that are occurring on
the water. This may also indicate that recreational boaters in WA may be ready for
messages and measures to reduce the level of drinking alcohol while boating.
In contrast to the previous survey (Pikora, 2006), fewer respondents suggested that
boaters or skippers themselves were responsible for ensuring safe boater behaviour.
Those authorities considered as responsible for ensuring boater behaviour included
the Water Police, Marine Safety and DPI and a combination or mixture of various
authorities. This suggests that little progress has been made into the promotion of a
single authority to be responsible for safety on the water as was recommended in the
previous reports (Department for Planning and Infrastructure, 2003; Pikora, 2006).
Having a single authority would assist in promoting where boaters can access
boating safety information. Perhaps not surprising, more metropolitan than regional
boaters suggested that the Water Police were responsible. In contrast, regional
boaters suggested that the responsibility lay with Fisheries. This may reflect the
presence of these authorities on the water in the different locations.
More boaters are reporting to have sourced some form of boating safety information
and this has been increasing over the past five years. Compared with previous
surveys, more boaters were sourcing boating safety information from DPI, from an
RST workbook and from an RST assessor. In addition, there was a decrease in the
number of boaters who reported that they had not sourced any safety information.
This may reflect that the boating community are becoming more aware of where to
go for safety information, although it will require monitoring whether this translates
into safer boating practices over time. In addition, this suggests that boaters are using
the RST workbook as a safety information resource and it will be important to
monitor whether the workbook remains an important resource and whether
recreational boaters need to be provided with updated versions.
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While the boating safety behaviours reported by the respondents were similar with
those found in the previous surveys (Department for Planning and Infrastructure,
2003; Pikora, 2006), there remains the need to reinforce and remind boaters of the
safety issues. While the respondents reported that boaters under the influence of
alcohol or drugs were a concern, few of those surveyed reported that they had an
alcoholic drink while on their most recent trip or that they carried alcohol on board.
While this may not reflect the true measure of drinking behaviour among recreational
boaters as many may have felt uncomfortable in reporting carrying or drinking
alcohol while boating, further analysis was undertaken to these issues. Similar
variables were associated with both carrying alcohol on board and with consuming
alcohol on the most recent boat trip. Older boaters were less likely to report carrying
and consuming alcohol than those in the younger age groups. In addition, those who
carry children under the age of 12 years were less likely to have alcohol on board or
to consume alcohol than those who did not. These results are similar to those found
in previous studies (Miller and Pikora, 2008). Additional variables were also found
to be associated in this current study. Regional boaters were more likely to both
consume and to carry alcohol than metropolitan boaters; compared with boaters who
went fishing, those who went cruising and/or motoring were less likely to either
carry or consume alcohol; and compared with those who most often went boating in
protected waters, those who went more than 5nM from the mainland were less likely
to either carry or consume alcohol. These results can assist in selecting sections of
the boating community to target messages related to reducing alcohol consumption.
The issue of consuming alcohol while operating a recreational vessel remains an
important issue that warrants further investigation. This current survey asked boaters
whether they carried alcohol on board in an attempt to obtain more information but it
remains unknown as to whether the boaters reported true levels of carrying or
consuming alcohol. To obtain true measures remains a challenge to this area of
research.
The level of logging on or telling someone where they were going among recreation
boaters remains low and continues to be a concern. As suggested from the previous
survey (Pikora, 2006), this may warrant targeting for an education campaign. This
finding is consistent with those among Tasmanian recreational boaters where 15%
32
did not tell someone where they were going and when they were expected to return
(Marine and Safety Tasmania, 2000).
The number of boaters who are checking the weather prior to going boating also
remains low with less than one-quarter of recreational boaters reporting that they did
so. This is similar to the rate reported in the previous surveys (Department for
Planning and Infrastructure, 2003; Pikora, 2006). Among those who did check the
weather there was an increase in the number who sourced this information from the
internet. Of concern is that many of the boaters visually assessed the weather with
almost one-half “going outside to have a look”. Fewer boaters reported that they
accessed weather information from sources that are not regularly up-dated including
television reports, AM/FM radio reports and from newspapers. This has decreased
since the previous surveys (Department for Planning and Infrastructure, 2003;
Pikora, 2006).
The number of boaters who reported checking fuel supplies or conducting a general
boat and equipment check remains low and is similar with the results from the
previous surveys (Department for Planning and Infrastructure, 2003; Pikora, 2006).
This remains a concern as 57% of the marine sea search and rescue incidents are
related to breakdowns (Pikora & Cercarelli, 2004). Among these breakdown
incidents, the most common were due to fuel blockages, electrical failure and being
out of fuel.
The majority of the recreational boaters had undertaken some form of boating
education and more than one-half of the recreational boaters have obtained their
RST. A high level of support for the RST since its introduction in 2006 was reported
among the boaters. The majority of the boaters reported that obtaining the RST was
worthwhile and three quarters of the boaters confirmed that it has changed their
behaviour while on board. Among those who confirmed that the RST had changed
their behaviour, the majority suggested that it had increased their awareness about
boating rules and regulations, boating issues and boating safety issues. This suggests
that the RST has had a positive influence on boaters in terms of making them more
aware about boating issues and to share the water safely with others. To achieve
improved safety behaviour on the water among recreational boaters, there is the need
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to change knowledge and attitudes. The introduction of the RST is the first stage to
achieve a behaviour change in boaters that is a slow and long process that will
require many years to achieve. The data from this survey has provided information
about the initial changes in attitudes among recreational boaters. Further surveys are
required to monitor the influence of the RST upon recreational boater attitudes and
behaviour on the water.
Consistent with the 2006 survey (Pikora, 2006) the recreational boaters reported very
few injuries or incidents or near misses and the majority of these were classed as
minor, requiring only minor first aid or no treatment. Very few of the incidents or
near misses were reported to the authorities. There is no data collected related to
minor injuries in Western Australia to allow comparison with the wider recreational
boating community to compare these injuries with. It is recommended that these
items remain in future surveys among recreational boaters.
4.2 Limitations
There are some limitations in this study. Only recreational boaters with registered
vessels were included in the sampling frame and the results may have been different
with the inclusion of those with unregistered vessels. All the data were self reported
and this may have lead to boaters under reporting information that was socially
desirable, such as in reporting alcohol consumption, and/or over reporting of
practices that may be socially desirable, such as carrying safety equipment.
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4.3 Recommendations
General recommendations:
• With the introduction of the RST, it will be important to continue to measure and
monitor changes in recreational boaters’ attitude and knowledge toward boating
safety issues and standards, as well as monitoring changes in behaviour.
• It is recommended that there is a focus on the education of recreational boaters
in several areas: checking updated weather forecasts; checking fuel and other general
boat and equipment; logging on; and consuming alcohol.
o It is important that education strategies be developed to raise awareness of the
importance of accessing regularly updated weather forecasts and to increase the
number of recreational boaters who do so.
o It is also essential to remind boaters of the importance of checking the fuel
supply as well as conducting a general boat and equipment check.
o As few recreational boaters are logging on or telling someone where they are
going, this remains an issue that requires encouragement and reinforcing
among this group.
o Although the number of boaters reporting consuming alcohol on their most
recent boating trip were low, it is important to consider the development of an
alcohol awareness education campaign among all boaters.
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5 REFERRENCES
Department for Planning and Infrastructure (2003). Recreational boating safety research, November 2003. Marine and Safety Tasmania (2000). Recreational boating safety review, Marine and Safety Tasmania. Miller, JR. and Pikora, TJ. (2008). Alcohol consumption among recreational boater: factors for intervention. Accident Analysis and Prevention. 40(2), 496-501. Pikora, TJ. (2006) A survey of the attitudes and safety behavior among recreation vessel owners in Western Australia. Perth, Western Australia, Injury Research Centre, School of Population Health, the University of Western Australia. Pikora, T. and Cercarelli, L. (2004). Quantifying boating-related fatalities, injuries and incidents in Western Australia. Perth, Western Australia, Injury Research Centre, School of Population Health, the University of Western Australia.
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APPENDIX 1
A2
INTRO Hello, my name is …………….., from ……………….. an independent research firm in Perth. We are contacting people from a list of registered boat owners supplied to us by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure to conduct research on their behalf about recreational boating attitudes and behaviours. Your telephone number was selected at random, we have no other personal details. If you choose to participate the information and opinions you provide will be used for research purposes only. The survey will take approx. 12 minutes to complete. May I speak with the person who owns the registered vessel. Firstly, can I just confirm do you or anyone you know well work or have recently worked: In market research In advertising For the Department for Planning and Infrastructure – if YES, cancel the interview Aa INSERT TYPE OF VESSEL FROM DATABASE _________________ Ab INSERT POSTCODE FROM DATABASE ___________________ QUESTIONS FOR TELEPHONE SURVEY 1. Have you been boating in the previous 12 months? Yes, no 2. What activities do you mainly use your boat for? Fishing Cruising or motoring Watersports (skiing, wake boarding) Diving Racing Other (please specify) 3. How many years have you owned a boat? _______________ 4. How many years have you driven a boat? _______________ 5. How many years of overall boating experience have you had? _______________ 6. Where do you normally go boating? (can select more than one option) Protected waters (lakes, rivers, inlets, estuaries) Within 2 nautical miles from mainland Between 2 and 5 nautical miles from mainland More than 5 nautical miles from mainland 7. Which areas do you go boating most often? Protected waters (lakes, rivers, inlets, estuaries) Within 2 nautical miles from mainland Between 2 and 5 nautical miles from mainland More than 5 nautical miles from mainland 8. During which months do you normally go boating? (list all) – multiple responses allowed _______________ 9. What days would you most often go boating? Weekend Weekdays Both 10. How often would you normally go boating? More than once a week Once a week Once every couple of weeks Once a month Less than once a month 11. How many other people usually go boating with you? ________ people 12a. In the previous 12 months, were there any children under 12 years of age on board? Yes
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No 12b. If yes, how often do the children wear a PFD/life jacket? Always Sometimes Never 13. When thinking about boating, which issues do you feel are important? (Unprompted, open ended) 14. When thinking about recreational boating safety, which issues are most important to you? (Unprompted, open ended) 15. Thinking about when you are preparing to go boating, can you tell me some of the things that you do? (Unprompted) 16a. Which of the following would you do when
preparing to go boating? (include anything that you may have mentioned previously)
16b. How often do you do this? Every time, most times, occasionally, at least once a year, less than once a year
Check batteries Check bucket or bailer Check boat stability Check EPIRB Check anchor and line Check flares Check fuel supply Check life jackets/PFD’s Check radio General boat and equipment check Inform someone of trip details Log on Regularly service engines Show passengers safety equipment Check weather conditions – if yes, where do you source the weather information [AM/FM radio reports, marine radio reports, television weather reports, newspaper, internet, other]
Which types of safety equipment do you carry on board (Unprompted and prompted) 17a Unprompted 17b Prompted (include anything
you may have mentioned previously)
Anchor and line Bilge pump or bail bucket Cellular phone/mobile phone Compass Flashlights General maps GPS Marine radio Navigation charts Navigation lights PFD’s or life jackets Tool kit Emergency equipment: EPIRB Equipment for reaching someone in the water (eg, boat hook)
Fire extinguisher First aid kit Ring or other throwable flotation device
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Safety rope Sound signals (eg horns, whistles) Visual distress signals (eg flares, flags) Anything else (please specify) 18. What boating safety issues do you consider requires more focus/effort? – multiple responses allowed Control of reckless operation Boating safety education Control of boaters under the influence of alcohol or drugs Speeding Anything else? (please specify) 19. In the last 12 months, from which sources have you obtained information about boating safety? (unprompted) – multiple responses allowed The Department for Planning and Infrastructure My yacht or boating club RST assessor Marine Equipment shops Boating Communities newsletter Media advertising (TV/radio/press) RST workbook Boat shows The internet Public safety demonstrations Marine Safety trailer Marine and Harbours Friends None Other (please specify)__________________________ 20. Have you heard of the Recreational Skippers Ticket (RST) for recreational boaters? Yes No 21. The Recreational Skipper’s Ticket (RST) is a compulsory qualification based on a set of marine safety competencies that all recreational skippers need to obtain. When did you complete your Recreational Skippers Ticket (RST)? Year: 2006 2007 2008 Month _______________ Have not completed – skip to Q 24 22. Do you think that the effort to obtain your RST qualification has been worthwhile? Yes No 23a. Do you consider that obtaining your RST qualification has changed your behaviour while boating? Yes No – skip to Q24 23b. If yes, can you describe how it has changed your behaviour? ………………………………………………………………… 24. Excluding the RST, have you ever completed any formal boating education course? No Boatsmart National Powerboat Scheme (TL3) Commercial course Other (please specify) _____________________ 25. Who do you believe has the authority and is responsible for ensuring that boaters behave safely on the water? Department for Planning and Infrastructure Fisheries
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Water Police Marine Safety Other (please specify) 26a. On your most recent boating trip was there any alcohol on board? Yes No 26b. On your most recent boating trip did you have anything alcoholic to drink? Yes No 27. It is safe for passengers on recreational boats to drink alcohol as long as the skipper does not drink any alcohol. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Agree strongly Agree Neither agree not disagree Disagree Disagree strongly 28a. In the previous 12 months, have you ever been involved in an incident or near miss while boating? Yes No - skip to Q29a 28b. If yes, would you describe this as: “High risk” incident – where you felt that a life was threatened “Urgent” situation – where you required help from others Some type of minor incident An incident that led to a death, injury or property damage that made the boat unseaworthy 28c. Did you report this to any authority? Yes No If yes, which authority If no, why not 28d. What do you consider were the factors that led to this incident? – multiple responses allowed Alcohol use Reckless or careless operation Operator error Mechanical or structural failure Weather or sea conditions Inadequate lookout Operator inexperience Lack of boating skills Speed Unsafe vessel or equipment 29a. In the previous 12 months, have you suffered any of the following injuries while on a boat? – multiple responses allowed Cuts and lacerations Near drowning Burns Hypothermia Fracture/broken bones Concussion Other (please specify) None - skip to Q30 29b. For each injury, how serious was this injury? Serious needing a hospital stay Moderate needing visit to GP or emergency department Minor needing first aid treatment No treatment required 30. Are you a member of a boating association or boating club? Yes
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No 31. Which of the following best describes your household? Young single/living out of home Young couple with no children Two or single parent family with youngest child 12 or under Two or single parent family with youngest child teenager/adult at home Older couple without children living at home Older single 32. Age ______________ years 33. Gender Male Female THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME; IT IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATE D
