A Survey of Marine Radio Log On and Off

Behaviour Among Recreational Boaters in

Western Australia

School of Population Health

The University of Western Australia

35 Stirling Highway

Crawley WA 6009

Terri J Pikora June 2009

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DOCUMENT RETRIEVAL INFORMATION ___________________________________________________________________________

Date Pages June 2009 32

___________________________________________________________________________ Title A survey of marine radio log on and off behaviour among recreational boaters in Western Australia ___________________________________________________________________________ Author Pikora TJ ___________________________________________________________________________ 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 ___________________________________________________________________________ Keywords Marine Safety, Boats and Boating, Behaviour, Recreational Boaters ___________________________________________________________________________

iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................... iv

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY........................................................................................................ v

ABBREVIATIONS AND GLOSSARY.................................................................................. vii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................... viii

1 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................. 1

2 METHODS............................................................................................................................. 3

3 RESULTS............................................................................................................................... 4 3.1 Demographic information................................................................................................ 4 3.2 Recreational boating characteristics ................................................................................ 5 3.3 Logging on and off .......................................................................................................... 7 3.4 Boating safety issues...................................................................................................... 13

4 DISCUSSION ...................................................................................................................... 15 4.1 Findings ......................................................................................................................... 15 4.2 Limitations ..................................................................................................................... 17 4.3 Recommendations.......................................................................................................... 18

5 REFERRENCES .................................................................................................................. 19

APPENDIX 1 ........................................................................................................................... 20

iv

LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1 Postcode of residence among the sample ........................................................... 4

Table 3.2 Demographic characteristics of the sample: comparison between log on/off survey, geographical location and 2008 boater survey....................................... 4

Table 3.3 Boating characteristics: comparison between log on/off survey, geographical location and 2008 boater survey........................................................................ 6

Table 3.4 Recreational boating experience: comparison between log on/off survey and 2008 boater survey.............................................................................................. 6

Table 3.5 Recreational boating experience: comparison between geographical locations 7

Table 3.6 Logging on and off: overall and by location ...................................................... 8

Table 3.7 Logging on and off: by where normally go boating........................................... 8

Table 3.8 Logging on and off: by location and where normally go boating ...................... 9

Table 3.9 Unprompted reasons for not logging on and off by log on and off behaviour ... 9

Table 3.10 Unprompted reasons for not logging on and off among those who do not log on and off and go more than 5nM from mainland................................................. 10

Table 3.11 Reasons why some people DO NOT log on and off: overall and by location . 11

Table 3.12 Information, messages and/or displays related to logging on and off ............ 12

Table 3.13 How to encourage boaters to log on and off (unprompted).............................. 13

Table 3.14 Level of importance for specific boating safety issues..................................... 14

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Background

Only 8% of boaters in a recent survey of recreational boater safety behaviour across Western

Australia reported logging on and off. While it is not mandatory to log on or log off, it is

important for recreational boaters to let someone know the trip details, including where they

are going, the number of people on board, their expected time of return and that they have

returned. The most common method of doing this is to inform a VMSR group via marine

radio. It is a safety requirement to carry a marine radio when going more than 5 nautical miles

from the mainland. While these results are consistent with evidence reported in other

jurisdictions, it is of concern as authorities do not have any idea of where to begin searching

for those vessels which get into trouble and/or do not return. The consequence of this may be

more serious injuries and the possibility of loss of life.

Aims

The aims of this study were:

To measure the rate of logging on and off behaviour using marine radio among recreational

boaters in WA;

To identify why some recreational boaters in WA do log on using marine radio while others

do not;

To identify and explore the barriers associated with logging on and off using marine radio;

and

To explore measures that could be used to encourage recreational boaters to log on and off

using marine radio.

Methods

The participants included boaters who volunteered to complete the questionnaire at the Perth

boat show, the Mandurah Boat Show and through a number of regional volunteer marine

search and rescue groups between August and November 2008. Ethical approval for the study

was obtained from the UWA human ethics committee. The variables included in the

questionnaire were: demographics – age, gender, postcode; recreational boating history,

experience and practice; perceptions related to logging on and not logging on; barriers to

logging on and motivations for logging on; and identification of methods that may encourage

boaters to log on.

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Results

A total of 545 completed surveys were collected. The demographic and boating characteristics

were similar with previous surveys amongst recreational boaters in WA. While more than one

half of the boaters reported that they always log on and off using marine radio, an increase

from previous surveys, it remains a concern that so many only sometimes or do not log on and

off. The most frequent responses to why the boaters do not log on and off were that they do

not go far offshore and only do river trips, although they also suggested that the main reason

for some boaters to not log on and off was due to apathy or laziness. It is of particular concern

that 11% of boaters who are required to carry a marine radio (ie, are going more than 5

nautical miles from the mainland) do not log on and off using a marine radio. The majority of

the boaters had seen information about logging on and off with the most common place being

the Recreational Skippers Ticket workbook. The most frequent method to encourage

recreational boaters to log on and off were “raising awareness, increased publicity, television

adverts, and promotion”.

Discussion

Many of the findings in this survey were similar with those reported in the two previous

surveys among recreational boaters in WA. That almost one third of the respondents reported

that they do not always log on and off using a marine radio when it is recommended that they

do so (ie, they are going more than 5 nautical miles from the mainland) remains a concern and

this may need to be a target for an education campaign. Future surveys need to include

questions related to RST and the use of the RST workbook as a source of safe boating

information. The limitations to this study were that only boaters who attended a boat show or

who were approached by a member of a VMSR group completed the survey and this may

limit he results to boaters who may be more safety aware.

Recommendations

It is recommended that strategies to promote and encourage logging on and off using marine

radio be developed. It would be useful to explore the suggestions related to encouraging

recreational boaters to log on and off further to develop strategies for promoting logging on

and off using marine radio. It will be important to monitor the effects of the RST and the use

of the RST workbook upon recreational boater behaviour.

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ABBREVIATIONS

DPI: Department for Planning and Infrastructure

nM : Nautical miles

PWC: Personal watercraft

RST: Recreation Skipper’s Ticket

VMSR: Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study 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 Marine Safety at the Department for Planning and

Infrastructure.

The author would like to acknowledge the contributions of:

• Paul Kimber from VMSR and Troy Easter from Marine Safety at DPI for providing

valuable advice, assistance with data collection and the items for inclusion in the prize

draw.

• The Volunteer Sea Search and Rescue members who assisted with collecting the data.

• 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.

1

1 INTRODUCTION

A previous review of boating-related deaths, injuries and incidents among boaters

in Western Australia (WA) rates of 0.96 deaths per 10,000 registered vessels, 1.74

hospital admissions per 1,000 vessels, and 18.55 rescues per 1,000 vessels were

reported (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).

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 use these waterways. Notifying

a responsible person of the voyage plan prior to going boating is an important

safety strategy for all recreational boaters. The two common methods of doing

this are to inform a Volunteer Marine Search and Rescue (VMSR) group via

marine radio and to inform others of the trip details. Information that may be

required to begin a search include the vessel call sign or vessel name; the

departure point and time; the intended destination; the purpose of the trip; the

number of people on board; the fuel supply; and the expected time of return. It is a

requirement to carry a marine radio when going more than 5 nautical miles from

the mainland therefore those boaters who regularly go further from shore are

encouraged to log on and off using a marine radio.

The introduction of mandatory recreational boating education and training in the

form of the Recreational Skipper’s Ticket (RST) in 2006 has provided an avenue

for providing recreational boater education and to increase boater skills.

Information related to voyage planning messages, including logging on and off

using marine radio, is included in both the RST workbook and the practical

assessment all boaters are required to undertake prior to obtaining their RST.

(DPI, 2008)

2

Of concern is that recent research among recreational boaters in WA found that

only 8% of recreational vessel owners reported that they logged on as part of their

preparation to go boating (Pikora & Kaur, 2008). In addition, this study also

found that only 15% of the vessel owners reported that they had informed

someone of the details of their intended trip (such as a family member) (Pikora &

Kaur, 2008). While it is not mandatory to use either of these voyage planning

services, it is important for recreational boaters to advise someone of their trip

details (including where they are going), the number of people on board and the

expected time of return. While these results are consistent with evidence reported

in other jurisdictions (Marine and Safety Tasmania, 2000), it is of concern as the

relevant search authorities do not know where to begin searching for those boaters

who get into trouble and/or do not return. This may lead to more serious

consequences, including loss of life and/or serious injury, which may result due to

the lapse in time until potential rescue may be accomplished.

The specific aims for this study were:

• To measure the rate of logging on and off behaviour using marine radio

among recreational boaters in WA;

• To identify why some recreational boaters in WA do log on and off using

marine radio while others do not;

• To identify and explore the barriers that are associated with not logging on

using marine radio prior to going boating among recreational boaters in WA; and

• To explore measures that could be used to encourage recreational boaters to

log on and off using marine radio.

3

2 METHODS

The study consisted of self-completed questionnaires among recreational boaters

in both metropolitan and regional locations. The questionnaire was anonymous

with no named data collected. Boaters were approached at boat shows by the

researcher and volunteer marine rescue personnel and were invited to complete

the survey. Surveys were collected at the Perth Boat show in August 2008

(n=386) and the Mandurah Boat show during October 2008 (n=138). After

completing the survey, each respondent completed a prize entry form that was

placed into a box for the prizes to be drawn. Separate prize draws were conducted

following each boat show. Additional surveys were collected through some

regional Volunteer Marine Rescue groups (n=21). This was to provide additional

information and responses from boaters in regional areas who may have different

experiences and who had not attended one of the two main boat shows in Western

Australia. Ethics approval was provided for the study by the UWA Human Ethics

Committee.

The variables included in the questionnaire were: demographic (age, gender, and

postcode); recreational boating history, experience and practice; perceptions

related to logging on and not logging on; barriers to and motivations for logging

on; and identify methods to encourage boaters to log on. The full questionnaire

used in the study is provided in Appendix 1. The data were checked, cleaned and

some variables recoded prior to data analysis. SPSS (version 17 for Windows)

was used to analyse the data. Differences between boaters in regional, Peel and

Perth metropolitan areas and comparison to the results from the 2008 boater

survey (Pikora & Kaur, 2008) are provided and discussed where appropriate. In

addition, those boaters who go further than 5 nautical miles from the mainland

were analysed separately where appropriate.

4

3 RESULTS

3.1 Demographic information

The majority of the boaters who completed the survey resided in the Perth

metropolitan area (72.5%) with the remainder being residents in the Peel region,

in regional Western Australia or an interstate visitor (see Table 3.1). The data

were analysed with the missing and interstate postcodes excluded.

Table 3.1 Postcode of residence among the sample

Postcode N % Metropolitan 390 72.5 Regional 80 14.7 Peel region 59 10.8 Interstate 9 1.7 Missing 7 1.3 Total 545 100

The majority of the recreational boaters who completed the survey were male

(86.2%; compared with 92.2% in the 2008 boater survey) and were aged 45 years

or older (65.3% compared with 70.1% in the 2008 boater survey) (see Table 3.2).

There was no difference in the demographic characteristics among those who do

not log on and off and the overall sample.

Table 3.2 Demographic characteristics of the sample: comparison between log on/off survey, geographical location and 2008 boater survey

% Current survey^ 2008 boater

survey** Characteristics Overall Metropolitan Peel Regional Do not log

on/off* Overall

Gender Male 86.6 86.4 81.4 87.5 91.8 92.2 Age 18-24 years 3.8 4.4 0 3.8 2.0 1.3 25-34 years 9.1 10.3 8.5 3.8 8.2 8.4 35-44 years 22.1 22.6 16.9 23.8 19.2 20.2 45-54 years 30.6 30.5 33.9 28.8 33.3 27.6 55-64 years 22.7 21.5 27.1 25.0 24.3 26.6 65+ years 11.7 10.8 13.6 15.0 12.9 15.9

^ n=529; * n=256; ** n=1002

5

3.2 Recreational boating characteristics

The recreational boaters were asked several questions related to their boating

behaviours including when and where they go boating most frequently, and

whether they normally carry children aged less than 12 years on board. The data

are compared to the findings from the 2008 recreational boater survey where

appropriate.

Almost one-third of the boaters reported that they normally carried children aged

less than 16 years of age on board (31.0% compared with 46.1% in the 2008

boater survey). When assessed based on geographical location, one quarter

(24.7%) of regional boaters reported that they normally carried children under 12

years on board compared with 32.4% among Perth metropolitan boaters and

39.0% of Peel boaters (see Table 3.3).

As shown in Table 3.3, and similar to the 2008 boater survey, one-quarter (24.5%)

went boating once a week or more frequently and there was no difference among

metropolitan and regional boaters. In contrast, almost one-half (44.5%) reported

that they went boating in protected waters. There were differences in where

boaters went boating most often based on geographical location (see Table 3.3).

Compared with metropolitan and Peel boaters, regional boaters less often reported

boating within 2nM from the mainland (30.8% compared with 40.9%).

Conversely, regional boaters were more likely (59.0%) to boat more often more

than 5nM from the mainland compared with metropolitan and Peel boaters

(45.9%). More Peel boaters reported boating more often in protected waters than

Perth metropolitan or regional boaters and less often reported going between 2

and 5 nM from the mainland.

6

Table 3.3 Boating characteristics: comparison between log on/off survey, geographical location and 2008 boater survey

%

Current survey^ 2008 boater

survey* Characteristics Overall Metropolitan Peel Regional Overall Carry children under 12 years on board 31.3 31.4 39.0 24.7 46.1 Boating frequency More than once a week 10.2 9.6 11.9 11.5 9.7 Once a week 13.8 14.8 8.5 12.8 13.2 Every couple of weeks 33.6 33.6 32.2 34.6 36.1 Once a month 24.8 23.2 39.0 21.8 22.4 Less than once a month 17.7 18.8 8.5 19.2 18.7 Location go boating most often Protected waters 44.8 44.2 57.6 38.5 ** Within 2nM from mainland 39.5 41.0 40.7 30.8 ** Between 2 & 5nM from mainland 41.2 42.1 32.2 43.6 ** More than 5nM from mainland 47.9 45.7 47.5 59.0 **

^ n=521; * n=1002; ** multiple responses allowed in current survey, one response in 2008 survey.

Table 3.4 presents the boaters’ experience in driving, owning and overall boating

experience compared with the 2008 boater survey. Differences were found with

more boaters reporting 2 years or less overall boating experience (13.9%

compared with 4.5% in the 2008 boater survey) and driving a boat (15.8%; 8.1%

in the 2008 boater survey). In contrast, there was little difference in the level of

boat ownership between the two surveys.

Table 3.4 Recreational boating experience: comparison between log on/off survey and 2008 boater survey

%

Overall Boating Experience

Driving Boat

Boat Ownership

current survey^

2008 boater survey*

current survey^

2008 boater survey*

current survey^

2008 boater survey*

≤2 13.9 4.5 15.8 8.1 16.6 14.4 3 – 5 9.0 7.4 11.8 8.2 13.3 14.7 6 – 10 16.7 13.2 15.8 16.7 17.8 20.5 11 + 60.4 74.0 56.8 65.6 52.3 49.7

^ n=545; * n=1002

As shown in Table 3.5, there were statistically significant differences in

recreational boating experience when compared based on geographical location,

although some of the numbers are small. More metropolitan boaters reported 5

7

years or less overall boating experience (28.2%), driving a boat (32.4%) and boat

ownership (35.1%) than either Peel (10.2%; 14.0%; 17.6% respectively) or

regional (9.2%; 14.0%; 15.6% respectively) boaters. In contrast, while the overall

level of experience was high across the three groups, more regional boaters

reported to having 11 or more years recreational boating experience (71.0%) than

metropolitan boaters (56.7%).

Table 3.5 Recreational boating experience: comparison between geographical locations

% Overall Boating Experience** Driving Boat^ Boat Ownership^ Years Metropolitan Peel Regional Metropolitan Peel Regional Metropolitan Peel Regional ≤2 17.0 5.1 6.6 18.9 7.0 7.0 19.6 9.8 7.8 3 – 5 11.2 5.1 2.6 13.5 7.0 7.0 15.5 7.8 7.8 6 – 10 15.1 22.0 19.7 15.4 20.9 14.0 16.1 23.5 23.4 11 + 56.7 67.8 71.0 52.2 65.1 71.9 48.8 58.8 60.9

* p<0.005; ^ p<0.05

3.3 Logging on and off

Table 3.6 presents the data of whether boaters reported to have logged on and off

using marine radio. As shown, more than one-half of the boaters reported that

they always logged on (57.3%), while one-fifth reported that they never logged on

(20.4%). There was no difference found in the incidence of logging on based on

geographical location (see Table 3.6).

The respondents were asked for reasons why they did not or only sometimes

logged on and off using marine radio. The most frequent reason provided was “do

not go far offshore” (21.9%); followed by “river trips” (19.9%), “short trips”

(10.4%), “lazy” (6.5%), and “hard to raise or none in the area” (5.0%). There

were differences in these reasons based on geographical location with more

regional boaters suggesting that they “do not go far offshore” (33.3% compared

with 21.19% of Perth metropolitan and 12.5% of Peel boaters) and “hard to raise

or none in the area” (13.3% compared with 2.8% of Perth metropolitan and 8.3

Peel boaters). In contrast more Peel and Perth metropolitan boaters reported “river

trips” (25.0% and 21.1% respectively compared with 6.7% of regional boaters)

8

and that they were “lazy” (8.3% and 7.7% respectively compared with 0% of

regional boaters) as reasons for not logging on and off. When prompted with

suggested reasons why they thought that some boaters do log on and off the most

frequent overall response was “for safety” (92.7%) and there was no difference

found based on geographical location (see Table 3.6).

Table 3.6 Logging on and off: overall and by location

% Overall^ Metropolitan a Peelb Regionalc

Log on Yes 57.3 57.4 54.2 58.8 Sometimes 22.3 22.6 23.7 20.0 No 20.4 20.0 22.0 21.3 Reason for not or sometimes logging on/off (unprompted) Do not go far offshore 18.9 21.1 12.5 33.3 River trips 14.8 21.1 25.0 6.7 Short trips 9.7 12.7 4.2 6.7 Lazy 6.6 7.7 8.3 0 Hard to raise or none in area 5.1 2.8 8.3 13.3 Reason why some people DO log on/off (prompted) For safety 93.0 93.8 91.5 89.6 Security 50.2 50.9 44.1 51.3 Other 1.6 - - -

^ n=529; a n=390; b n=59; c n=80

As shown in Table 3.7, more recreational boaters reported that they logged on and

off using a marine radio when going further from shore. Although it is only a

requirement to carry a marine radio when going more than 5 nautical miles from

the mainland, it is interesting to note that a large number of boaters who normally

go boating closer to shore also indicated that they always logged on and off. This

may reflect that the respondents could answer that they normally go boating in

more than one location.

Table 3.7 Logging on and off: by where normally go boating

% Logging on and off n Yes Sometimes No Where normally go boating Protected waters* 240 46.7 27.9 25.4 Within 2nm of shore 210 54.3 23.3 22.4 Between 2 and 5nm of shore* 223 62.3 25.6 12.1 More than 5nm of shore* 256 65.2 23.8 10.9

* p<0.001

9

Logging on and off using marine radio was assessed further based on

geographical location and where the respondents normally went boating (see

Table 3.8). As shown, there was no difference in logging on and off behaviour

among boaters from the different geographical regions of WA.

Table 3.8 Logging on and off: by location and where normally go boating

% Metropolitan Peel Regional Logging on and off Logging on and off Logging on and off Yes Sometimes No Yes Sometimes No Yes Sometimes No Where normally go boating Protected waters 46.5 25.3 28.2 47.1 32.4 20.6 53.3 33.3 13.3 Within 2nm of shore 54.4 23.4 22.2 58.3 20.8 20.8 58.3 20.8 20.8 Between 2 and 5nm of shore 64.8 24.1 11.1 52.6 31.6 15.8 61.8 23.5 14.7 More than 5nm of shore 65.3 25.0 9.7 64.3 21.4 14.3 69.6 15.2 15.2

The reasons for not logging on and off using marine radio were compared based

on whether the boaters reported not logging on or off and only sometimes doing

so (see Table 3.9). Due to the small numbers, these results are presented as whole

numbers rather than as percentages. The three most common reasons among those

who reported only sometimes logging on and off were: do not go far offshore;

river trips; and short trips. In contrast the three most common reasons among

those boaters who reported to not logging on and off were: river trips; not going

far offshore; and do not know how to/do not know protocol. Among those boaters

who do not log on and off using marine radio and who go more than 5 nautical

miles from the mainland the most common reasons for not doing so were:

unsure/do not know; hard to raise or none in the area; and that they never think

about it/forget (data not shown).

Table 3.9 Unprompted reasons for not logging on and off by log on and off behaviour

N Reason (unprompted) Sometimes log on Do not log on

Do not go far offshore 31 14 River trips 25 16 Short trips 18 4 Lazy 10 3 Hard to raise or none in area 6 4 Do not know how to/protocol 2 9

10

Another method of logging on and off is to inform others of the trip details

including information about the expected time they will return instead of using a

marine radio. When the information about why they do not log on and off was

assessed based on where they went boating only one boater who goes more than 5

nautical miles from the mainland and who did not log on reported that they

informed others of the trip details (see Table 3.10). One additional boater who

goes more than 5 nautical miles from the mainland and who only sometimes logs

on and off using marine radio reported that they informed others of the trip.

Table 3.10 Unprompted reasons for not logging on and off among those who do not log on and off and go more than 5nM from mainland

N Reason (unprompted) Do not log on

Unsure/do not know 4 Hard to raise or none in area 3 Never think about it/forget 3 Do not know how to/protocol 2 Do not wish to be a nuisance unnecessarily 2 Not a member 2 Radio not working 1 Small boat 1 No real service 1 Inform people 1 Depends on destination 1 Might forget to log off 1 Do not want to until compulsory 1 Lazy 1

The boaters were prompted with a list of suggested reasons why they thought that

some people do not log on and off using marine radio (see Table 3.11). The most

frequent reasons provided was “no radio” (53.9%); “unsure how to use radio”

(56.7%); “do not know correct call signs” (50.0%); and “do not want others to

know where they are going” (20.8%). There were differences in these responses

based on geographical location. More regional boaters indicated that “do not want

others to know where going” (32.5%) compared with 17.7% of Perth metropolitan

and 22.0% of Peel boaters indicating this as a reason for not logging on (see Table

3.11). Another difference was that “no one answers call” was indicated more often

among regional boaters (14.3%) compared with 6.7% of Perth metropolitan and

6.8% of Peel boaters. Interestingly, fewer Peel boaters (3.4%) indicated that there

11

was “too much radio traffic” as a reason for not logging on when compared with

either Perth metropolitan or regional boaters (11.1% and 13.0% respectively).

Table 3.11 Reasons why some people DO NOT log on and off: overall and by location

% Overall^ Metropolitan a Peelb Regionalc Prompted responses No radio 53.9 55.0 52.5 49.4 Unsure how to use radio 56.8 59.1 54.2 46.8 Don’t know correct call signs 50.1 51.4 47.5 45.5 Do not want others to know where going 20.4 17.7 22.0 32.5 No radio licence 17.9 19.5 13.6 13.0 Too much radio traffic 10.5 11.1 3.4 13.0 No one answers call 7.8 6.7 6.8 14.3 Unprompted responses Apathy/lazy 54.7 54.7 60.0 53.3 Complacent about safety 18.9 15.1 20.0 40.0 Ignorant 7.5 9.3 0 0 Unaware of procedure 6.6 8.1 0 0 Shy using radio 5.7 3.5 0 20.0

^ n=545; a n=390; b n=59; c n=80

When the boaters were asked to write the reasons why they thought that some

boaters do not log on and off the most frequent response was “apathy or lazy”

(54.7%) and there was no difference found based on geographical location (see

Table 3.11). Other responses included that boaters are “complacent about safety”

(18.9%) and more regional boaters indicated this (40.0% compared with 15.1%

Perth metropolitan and 20.0% Peel boaters), and that some boaters are “shy using

the radio” (5.7%) and more regional boaters (20.0%) suggested this compared

with Perth metropolitan boaters (3.5%). Interestingly, only Perth metropolitan

boaters suggested that boaters were “unaware of procedures” as a reason for not

logging on and off using marine radio (8.1%).

As shown in Table 3.12, the vast majority of the boaters had seen information

about logging on and off (89.2%). Only one boater who normally went 5 nautical

miles from the mainland and who reported not logging on and off reported to have

not seen any information about logging on and off (data not shown).

12

Table 3.12 Information, messages and/or displays related to logging on and off

% Overall^ Metropolitan a Peelb Regionalc Seen information messages, displays Yes 89.4 89.0 86.4 93.8 Where seen? RST workbook 78.8 79.8 72.5 78.4 Boat shows 59.3 61.6 49.0 56.0 Launching ramp 56.1 52.8 56.9 70.7 Posters and/or stickers 42.4 43.9 33.3 41.3 Marine Search and Rescue group 41.1 37.3 47.1 54.7 FESA website 11.0 11.0 5.9 14.9

^ n=529; a n=390; b n=59; c n=80

When prompted with a list of possible places where this information may be

found, common places were the Recreational Skippers Ticket workbook (78.1%),

at boat shows (59.2%), and at boat launching ramps (55.8%). More regional

boaters reported seeing the log on and off message at boat launching ramps

(70.7% compared with 52.8% among Perth metropolitan and 56.9% among Peel

boaters) and through a Marine Search and Rescue group (54.7% compared with

37.3% among Perth metropolitan and 47.1% among Peel boaters) (see Table

3.11). Fewer Peel boaters reported seeing these messages on the FESA website

(5.9%); on posters and/or stickers (33.3%); or at boat shows (49.0%) than Perth

metropolitan (11.0%, 43.9% and 61.6% respectively) and regional boaters

(14.9%, 41.3% and 56.0% respectively). On the other hand, more regional boaters

reported seeing information about logging on and off through a Marine Search

and Rescue group (54.7%) compared with Perth metropolitan (37.3%) and Peel

(47.1) boaters (see Table 3.12).

The boaters were also asked to suggest ways that may be used to encourage

recreational boaters to log on and off and, as shown in Table 3.13, a diverse range

of suggestions were offered. The most frequently mentioned methods were

through “raising awareness, increased publicity, television adverts, and

promotion” (23.7%); “education” (14.7%); and “make it mandatory and/or

compulsory” (12.0%). When the responses were compared based on geographical

location, fewer regional boaters suggested making it mandatory to log on (7.7%

compared with 12.5% Perth metropolitan and 13.2% Peel boaters). Conversely,

13

more regional than Perth metropolitan or Peel boaters suggested making the signs

at boat ramps larger and/or bigger (9.6% compared with 4.5% and 2.6%

respectively) (see Table 3.13). Among those boaters who reported normally going

boating more than 5 nautical miles from the mainland and who do not log on the

two highest responses related to methods to encourage logging on and off were

“raising awareness, increased publicity, television adverts, and promotion” and to

“make it mandatory and/or compulsory” (data not shown).

Table 3.13 How to encourage boaters to log on and off (unprompted)

% Overall^ Metropolitan a Peelb Regionalc Raising awareness, publicity, TV advertising, promotion 23.7 25.3 18.4 17.3 Education 12.4 14.4 18.4 15.4 Make it mandatory/compulsory 10.7 12.5 13.2 7.7 Radio information sessions/seminars/courses 6.0 5.8 7.9 5.8 Fines/penalties 5.2 4.2 10.5 7.7 Inform people of incidents 4.2 4.5 5.3 7.7 Larger/better signs at boat ramps 4.0 4.5 2.6 9.6 Adverts at boat ramps 3.0 4.2 0 1.9 Provide information about what to do 2.9 3.8 0 0 Personal information at boat ramps 2.2 2.2 2.6 1.9 Make radio course part of RST 2.0 2.6 0 1.9 Concession/rebate for radio 1.2 1.3 5.3 1.9 More stations/better coverage 1.7 1.0 2.6 5.8 Nothing 1.7 1.3 2.6 3.8 What are doing 1.7 2.2 0 0 Other 3.4 3.2 5.3 5.8 Unsure 3.2 3.5 2.6 1.9

^ n=545; a n=449; b n=59; c n=80

3.4 Boating safety issues

The boaters were asked to rate the level of importance for a range of specific

boating safety issues. As shown in Table 3.14, all these issues were seen to the

very important or important for the boaters.

14

Table 3.14 Level of importance for specific boating safety issues

% Very

important Important Somewhat

important Not at all important

Knowledge boating rules & regulations 90.6 8.9 0.7 0.0 Knowledge of how to use boating safety equipment 87.4 12.0 0.5 0.0 Knowledge of boat’s capability 85.8 13.3 0.9 0.0 Knowledge of required boating safety equipment 84.0 15.2 0.7 0.0 Alcohol/drug use by boaters 72.1 19.9 4.8 3.2 Knowledge of seamanship 69.1 26.2 4.4 0.2 Speeding 63.5 28.0 5.5 3.0 Proficient use of marine radio 62.0 33.1 4.4 0.4

15

4 DISCUSSION

4.1 Findings

The purpose of this study was to measure the rate of logging on and off behaviour

using a marine radio among recreational boaters in WA. In addition it explored

the reasons why some recreational boaters in WA do log on and off using a

marine radio and while others do not; it also identified and explored the barriers

that are associated with not logging on using a marine radio prior to going boating

among recreational boaters in WA; and explored the measures that could be used

to encourage recreational boaters to log on using a marine radio.

The demographic and boating characteristics of the recreational boaters who

completed the survey were comparable to previous surveys that have been

conducted among boaters in WA (Pikora & Kaur 2008; Pikora 2006; DPI 2003).

This provides further support that the majority of the recreational boater

population in WA are male and older persons as well as suggesting that these

findings can be compared with previous research.

The level of logging on using marine radio among recreational boaters in WA was

found to be higher than in previous research conducted among this group. More

than one half of the boaters reported that they always logged and off using a

marine radio and only one fifth reported that they did not log on and off. This

finding is in contrast to previous research where between 4% and 15% reported

that they logged on and off (Pikora & Kaur 2008; Pikora 2006; Marine and Safety

Tasmania, 2000). More recreational boaters reported that they logged on and off

using marine radio when going further from the mainland than those in protected

waters. As it is a safety requirement for vessels to carry a marine radio when

going more than 5 nautical miles from the mainland, it is important to encourage

the 11% of the boaters who reported going further from the shore and not logging

on and off using a marine radio to do so. This finding may not be as clear cut as

the boaters where asked to indicate where they normally go boating and could

have indicated more than one location but it does indicate that there are some

boaters who are not logging when it is recommended that they do so.

16

The overall increase in the number of boaters who reported logging on and off

using marine radio may be due to a number of factors including that the question

in the current survey was worded differently to the previous surveys and the

boater may not have understood the previous questions. In addition, this result

may reflect that more boaters who did log on and off participated in the survey as

the survey was labelled a “log on and off survey”. On the other hand, it may

suggest that information related to logging on and off using marine radio included

in the RST workbook and as part of the practical assessment have had an

influence on boater behaviour. An omission for this current survey was that

questions related to whether the boaters had completed their RST were not asked.

It is suggested that the effects of the RST be monitored in future years to

determine the effects of this boater education strategy across a range of safety

behaviours. It remains a concern that some boaters are not logging on and off

using marine radio and this may warrant a focus for a further education program.

There were a range of marine radio related issues provided by the boaters about

why some boaters do not log on and off including that they had no radio; they

may be unsure of how to use the radio; and that they do not know the correct radio

call signs. Interestingly, regional boaters suggested different reasons related to

that there were no one available to answer their call; and that there is a level of

apathy or laziness that inhibits them logging on and off using marine radio. It is a

concern that some of the regional areas do not have adequate coverage to respond

to radio calls and this promotes a negative to the log on and off message that is

included as part of the RST workbook and practical assessment. Some of the

boaters indicated that when they were in a dinghy with no radio.

On the other hand, the suggestion that boaters may not know the how to use a

radio or the correct call signs perhaps indicates that this aspect in the RST

practical assessment may need to be highlighted further. Future surveys among

this group should include questions about whether the boaters had obtained their

RST.

The RST workbook was ranked highest as the place where information about

logging on and off was found, along with at boat shows and at boat launching

17

ramps. In addition to these locations, regional boaters reported seeing this

information at VMSR groups. This may suggest that recreational boaters are using

the workbook as a reference and that the use of the workbook as a tool to promote

safety messages is being effective. It will be important to further assess the use

and effectiveness of the RST workbook with more research.

When the boaters were asked to suggest ways that may encourage boaters to log

on and off using marine radio the most frequent response was to raise awareness,

publicity, television advertising and promotion. Some of the specific comments

from boaters included: “media attention about rescues and who logged on and

who did not”; “show the positive aspects about logging on”; advertise why it is

important”; “make those boaters who do not log on and need assistance to pay

rescue charges”; “provide an option of using a mobile phone to log on”;

“introduce competitions where those who do log on go into a random draw”; and

“it is personal choice whether log on or not”. It may be worthwhile to explore

some of these suggestions further in an effort to encourage more boaters to log on

and off using a marine radio.

The level of importance across the range of boating safety issues has increased

since last asked in the 2005 survey among boaters attending boating education

courses (Pikora & Cercarelli 2005). There are several aspects that may explain

this. The first is that those boaters included in the current survey may be more

safety aware and may have been more inclined to participate in the survey.

Secondly, while the boaters were not asked about whether they had obtained their

RST, the effects of the RST workbook as a reference manual for boaters for a

range of boating safety issues may have influenced this result. Finally, the number

of boaters in the previous survey were smaller (n=125) and were less experienced

(51% ≤1 year compared with 13.9% < 2 years in current survey), thereby clouding

this comparison.

4.2 Limitations

There are some limitations in this study. Recreational boaters who were interested

in safety may have been more inclined to complete the survey. All the data were

self reported and this may have lead boaters to reporting information that is more

18

favourable in relation to logging on and off using marine radio, although that the

numbers reporting this behaviour were not high perhaps negates this as an issue.

In addition, it is possible that boaters who are more safety aware may be more

likely to attend boat shows although based on demographics and boating

characteristics, the respondents to this survey were similar to those who have

completed other recreational boater surveys.

An omission from the questionnaire was items related to whether the boater had

completed their RST. Future studies should include items that are related to

obtaining RST that would serve as opportunities to monitor the influence of RST

upon boater behaviour. There were separate prize draws for the two boat shows.

The Perth Boat Show included a prize of a 406 Emergency Position Indicating

Radio Beacon (EPIRB) and a PFD, while the prize at the Mandurah show

included a set of offshore flares and a PFD. The inclusion of an EPIRB may have

encouraged more boaters to participate in the survey. It is suggested that future

surveys have a prize that may attract more participants across a range of groups.

4.3 Recommendations

• It is recommended that strategies to promote and encourage logging on and off

using marine radio be developed

o It would be useful to explore the suggestions related to encouraging

recreational boaters to log on and off further to develop strategies to promote

logging on and off using marine radio.

o It will be important to monitor the effects of the RST and the use of the RST

workbook upon recreational boater behaviour.

• For future data collection among recreational boaters it is recommended:

o That recruiting boaters at boat shows is useful as a cross section of the

recreational boating community attend.

o In an effort to attract a large range and number of recreational boaters, it is

important to have a prize that is attractive and relevant.

o Future surveys need to include items related to RST and the influence of both

the RST qualification and the workbook have upon safe recreational boater

behaviour.

19

REFERRENCES

Department for Planning and Infrastructure (2003). Recreational boating safety research, November 2003. Department for Planning and Infrastructure (2008). Workbook: A guide to obtaining the Recreational Skipper’s Ticket (3rd ed.). Fremantle, Western Australia. Marine and Safety Tasmania (2000). Recreational boating safety review, Marine and Safety Tasmania. Hobart, 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 and Kaur A. (2008) A survey of the attitudes and safety behavior among recreation vessel owners in Western Australia. Perth, Western Australia, School of Population Health, the University of Western Australia. 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. (2005). Survey of recreational boaters voluntary attending boating education courses 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.

20

APPENDIX 1

1

Marine Radio Log on/Log off Survey

We would be grateful for your help in completing this short survey. The information will be used to help with planning future boating education and boater safety projects. All responses are confidential. For a chance at winning a prize, please place your completed contact information form and the survey in the box provided.

Please complete this survey by ticking the appropriate box or writing your answer

As part of your voyage planning it is recommended that, before setting out, that you “log on” via marine radio to the nearest marine search and rescue group and “log off” when you return.

Q.1a Do you always “log on/log off” when you go boating: (Please tick one only)

Yes

1 Sometimes

2 No

3

Q.1b If No or Sometimes, why? (please write your answer)

Q.2a Have you seen any information, messages or displays about logging on/off?

Yes

1 No

2 Q.2b If Yes, where have you seen this? (Please tick all that apply)

Display at a boat show

1 FESA website

5

At a boat launching ramp

2 Posters/stickers/etc

6

At a local Marine Search and Rescue group

3

In the Recreational Skipper’s Ticket workbook

4

Somewhere else (please write your answer)

2

Q.3 Why did you think that some boaters DO log on? (Please tick all that apply)

For safety

1 Feelings of security

2

Anything else? (Please write your answer)

Q.7 Do you own your own boat? (Tick one only)

Yes

1 Joint ownership

2 No

3

If yes or joint ownership, how many years have you owned a boat?

years

Q.8 Are you the main skipper of a boat? (Tick one only)

Yes

1 No

2

If yes, how many years have you skippered a boat?

Years

Q.6 How many years have you been boating? (please write your answer)

years

Q.4 Why did you think that some boaters DO NOT log on? (Please tick all that apply)

Do not have a radio

1 Unsure of how to use radio

2 Too much radio traffic

3

Do not know correct call signs

4 Do not have radio licence

5 No one answering call

6

Do not want others to know where they are going

7

Anything else? (Please write your answer)

Q.5 What do you think could be done to encourage boaters to log on? (Please write your answer)

3

Q.12 How often do you go boating? (Tick one only)

More than once a week

1 Once a week

2 Every couple of weeks

3

Once per month

4 Less than once per month

5

Q.11 Where do you normally go boating? (Please tick all that apply)

Protected waters (lakes, rivers, inlets, estuaries)

1

Within 2 nautical miles from the mainland

2

Between 2 and 5 nautical miles from the mainland

3

Over 5 nautical miles from the mainland

4

Q.9 What type of boat do you own? (Please tick all that apply)

Cabin cruiser

1 Runabout

2 Dinghy

3 PWC

4

Sail yacht

5 Other (please write your answer)

Q.13 Do you normally carry children aged less than 16 years of age on board? (Tick one only)

Yes

1 No

2

Q.10 What size is your boat? (Tick only one)

Less than 5 metres

1 Over 5 but less than 10 metres

2

Over 10 but less than 20 metres

3 20 metres or over

4

4

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP

Please place your completed survey in the box provided

Q.17 What is your residential postcode? (please write your answer)

Q.16 Are you: (Tick one only)

Male

1 Female

2

Q.15 What is your age? (please write your answer)

years

Q.14 How important do you consider the following boating safety issues? From the list below please indicate how important each is for you: (Tick one box for each issue only) Very Somewhat Not at all important Important important important

a. Knowledge of boating rules & regulations

1

2

3

4

(eg, navigation markers, rules of the road)

b. Knowledge of seamanship (eg, reading charts,

1

2

3

4 understanding weather)

c. Knowledge of required boating safety equipment

1

2

3

4

d. Knowledge of how to use boating safety equipment

1

2

3

4

e. Knowledge of your boat’s capabilities

1

2

3

4

f. Alcohol/drug use by boaters

1

2

3

4

g. Speeding

1

2

3

4

h. Proficient use of a marine radio

1

2

3

4

i. Another issue (please write your answer)