PWT - News & Views

Last updated 25-04-2008

It is intended that this page will provide you with a range of practical product reviews and general discussion. It is hoped that in this way, PWT can provide further value to you by demonstrating the practical applications as well as technical specifications for alternative power and lifestyle products. Also, any news that come to hand and my views on it.

Well, the victorian government did it.

The new PFD legislation is in place.

Submissions placed by clubs and organisations were dismissed as: "We felt they had not read the paperwork". They felt!? Just what is that supposed to mean? All us boating people out there are brainless idiots, taking the time and effort required to write letters, to get together a petition together and submissions to the government against the proposed legislation without reading the paperwork. I don't think so. I spoke to a lot of club representitives and club members and I believe they did read the paperwork. This legislation was coming in regardless of whether or not it was wanted, or needed, by the boating public. All the waste of time and taxpayers money on the proposals were all a sham to make us believe we have a say in what our government does that effects us. I asked the specific question as to how much all this cost the taxpayers but, "surprisingly", there was no answer forthcoming. I suppose that's democracy for you.

From my point of view, my personal safety at sea is still my responsibility. If I am on deck, quite legally in an enclosed area, and there is an unexpected emergency on an unenclosed part of my boat, I will be, quite illegally going to fix it without my PFD. Any boating person knows that some things need to be done - right now. So, all I can say to the legislators and the enforcers is, fine me, I will not pay it. Lock me up, if you can catch me. But, my safety at sea is my business, not yours. The water is one of the few places remaining where we can get a bit of freedom from the rampant bureaucratic nonsense with which we are surrounded these days and that is not going to be taken away from me.

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