THE state's marine safety laws will be modernised and strengthened to better equip police and regulators to improve safety on waterways under new legislation introduced into parliament.
The Marine Safety Bill comes after a comprehensive, two-year review of the Marine Act 1988.
The bill and accompanying regulations include a new system of seaworthiness checks.
A feature includes the introduction of licence endorsements requiring operators of power skis to demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge.
There will be tougher penalties and the introduction of owner onus for speed and zone offences, mirroring the law on the roads. It will allow testing for drug and alcohol impairment when a vessel is at anchor, so at least one person is fit to operate a boat safely and legally in an emergency. Almost 300 people were admitted to Victorian hospitals in 2007-08 with recreational boating injuries - up 34per cent in just one year and nearly double the number five years earlier.
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