Avoiding fines

[RaymondR]

Their tricks and traps are multiferous.

In the state of Queensland one of their tricks was to ask if you had a second EPIRB aboard which many people do because it's often as cheap the buy new unit as getting the batteries replaced in the old expired unit (The long life batteries are "expired" when self discharge reduces them to 80% so, depending on battery age, there's actually lots of life left even if designated expired by the "Date of Expiry" on them)

The correct answer is always no because even if you had an unexpired unit they may issue an infringement notice for "having an expired EPIRB".

[DeckScrubber]

Thx for all the replies so far.

I have just completed a 3-day boating license (theory) course ("Algemeen stuurbrevet" in Dutch). As far as the North Sea is concerned, our instructor gave us several examples of people being fined many, many thousands of pounds for not respecting the traffic separation scheme rules. One boat just skirted the lane and got hit by a UK jurisdiction fine. So in this neck of the woods, they don't mess about. Apparently the rule is that you have to cross these lanes at right angles.. beware if you dare to deviate ;-)

Another warning from our instructor: when breaking other rules in Dutch (Holland) jurisdiction, if you can't pay the fine on the spot, your boat gets towed to the nearest holding spot.. you only get your boat back once the fine is paid. E.g. not wearing (wearing, not just possessing) a life-jacket in certain situations leads to a fine in Dutch waters.

I'm glad I did the course as it taught me why the rules are sensible and necessary.