Interesting Question.

[Member]

I was just reading elsewhere where a guide on Lake Monduran is dirty that other anglers are coming too close to him when he has clients aboard.  He is telling people that they must stay 100 metres clear of his vessel in all directions or he will take photos and video and submit them to Maritime Safety Queensland which will result in a fine for the offender.  100 metres is a bloody long way.  He could take over some bays in Monduran which are less than 200 metres wide.  What if he's trolling down the middle of the riverbed and you want to get past?  Maybe he can fish 80 metres off the ramp and keep everyone off the lake?  Does anyone know what the law really states?
This is what he said:

People it is wrong for anyone to come in and fish where a charter boat is and the law states that you must keep 100 meters away in anyone direction ok.. Now I never get (deleted) of but if it keeps happing I can take pics and movie footage and send it into M.S.Q and it does end up in a fine for you ...

[Member]

I can understand him getting a bit upset if he is being blowflied all the time, but I thought 30 mt's was the legal distance. Plenty of room on Monduran, but he does not own it.

Cheers Andrew

[Member]

30mtrs..unless he is a whale...

Speed limits
Maximum Six knots, and No Wash
within 30m of:
(just about anything)
boats anchored or moored to the shore or aground
jetty, wharf, pontoon or boat ramp
people in the water, Surfboard riders, etc
You must keep 30 metres away fr
om a divers flag (Code A flag)
Unless otherwise signed, SMOOTH WATERS are limited to
40 knot
speed limit.
Some local waters may be exempted from th
e 40 knot limit. Check local signage or with
local authorities.
ƒ
ƒQueensland Marine Drivers Licence
Rev 3.7 10/7/07
Copyright
©
Australian Boating College Course in National Powerboat Licence
www.abcboating.com
14
Q16. How far should you keep from swimmers, je
tties or anchored boats, when travelling at
speeds in excess of 6 knots in a power boat?
Keep a minimum of 30 metres from all of the above
Q17. What do you do when taking your po
wer boat near swimmers or anchored boats?
Slow to 6 knots when 30 metres distan
t. Approach with due care and courtesy
Q18. What is the speed limit in a harbour, or marina?
Signs usually indicate “6 knots, No Wash”. Re
spect others and travel slowly without causing
Wash.
Q19. What do you do if you see a diver's flag?
A Divers Flag is White and Blue, with Blue to the
Fly. Keep well clear. Min distance is 30 metres
Q20. When approaching a boat ramp, what should you do?
Slow to 6 knots when 30 metres distan
t. Approach with due care and courtesy
Q21. Unless otherwise gazetted or signed, what
is the maximum speed limit on all smooth waters?
40 knots
Whale Distance Off regulations:
A person in control of a boat must not:
•
Bring the boat within 100m of a whale
•
Bring the boat within 300m of a whale if
i)
3 or more boats are already within 300m of a whale
ii)
The boat is moving in a similar direction to or behind
a whale
iii)
The boat is moving at more than 4 knots
•
Bring the boat to a position in the path of a whale causing
the whale to come within 100m of the boat
•
Move or operate the boat in a way that causes the whale to alter its direction or behaviour

[Member]

 

From my maritime college days, I don't remember anything stating anyone had to keep away from a fishing charter boat. There's a speed limit around anchored vessels that was mentioned above (this does not include Minn Kota spot lock either), and a dive flag being flown. There's also some restictions around larger commercial vessels displaying certain symbols and/or lights, but that's more of a give way to a "ship constricted by xxxxx" scenario.

Then there is a rule around pro net fishing boats taking shots off the beach, you have to move away a certain distance, this is more of a safety thing so people dont get in the road of boats being launched, tractors and nets etc. But a beach netter and a fishing guide on a lake are two totally different animals.

Nobody likes to get spot jumped at any time, but if you're a guide you need accept it is going to happen and deal with it. I had an idiot on a jet ski at Somerset one day who shadowed me everywhere I went. Not another boat on the lake but he was right behind me every where I went... I pulled up & asked him what his caper was. He explained that he wanted the waves. I told him there's lots of them over at the ocean & to p!ss off there. He said he can go where ever he likes & he was right. I then explained that I've got the right to cast a 2 ounce tail spinner in any direction I like and as fast as I like. He took the hint and moved on...... (is that similar to a 300 magnum [that's another story])

I think common decency needs to be adhered to.... if someone is fishing a quiet backwater, leave them to it & find another spot. Heck, at Lake Monduran there's no shortage of these to be found.  Nobody wins on barra water if there's alot of boat noise....who would want to fish second hand water anyway?

And finally, should fishing guides have more rights to the water (and the fish) than any other boat rego paying, licenced (SIP), voting citizens in Qld? That's like saying if a taxi cab comes up the street, all other cars must pull over....  I don't think so, but it can't hurt to leave a guide (or anyone else for that matter) alone or give them a decent distance to ply their trade. After all, the poor punters on board are paying, they should get their monies worth.....

What do you think?

[Member]

I rang MSQ in Bundy and found out that old mate will be sadly disappointed if he starts sending in photos and videos.  Legally you can idle right up beside him and start fishing.  I'm not sure why he's trying to use scare tactics on people, but it's not unheard of with Mondy locals.  There were issues a few years back with the locals queue jumping at the ramp too.

[Member]

I agree that the guide has no right to carry on about the 100 yard thing, however the paying clients do have a right to fish in peace. The problem comes down to the fact that there is less and less respect for people's personal space today regardless of where you are. People seem to be unable to find their way out of a damn building these days and seem to need someone to tell them how. Transfer that to on water activities and you get them pulling the "blowfly" routine. Humans are gregarious creatures and many seem to have some need to be close to others for some reason. Personally the more I see of many humans the more I prefer the company of dogs. 

[Member]

Personally the more I see of many humans the more I prefer the company of dogs.

[Member]

Does he keep 100 meters from other vessels on the Lake 

[Member]

So if Bunnings opened a warehouse in a suburb does this mean Masters are not allow into that suburb ??
If 3 guides all go out on the same day and take up spots in 3 of the better bays does that mean the general public cannot use those area's.
I don't think there's a business in Oz that could have that sort of protection..

[Member]

"Speed limits
Maximum Six knots, and No Wash
within 30m of:
(just about anything)
boats anchored or moored to the shore or aground
jetty, wharf, pontoon or boat ramp
people in the water, Surfboard riders, etc
You must keep 30 metres away fr
om a divers flag (Code A flag)"

If you are drifting there is no legal distance..you are deemed to be underway. If that was the case - 30m apart when underway, every channel at the Jumpinpin would be like a one way street.

Legalities or not, the basic rule is common courtesy. It goes a long way.

I was thinking about doing a trip with a guide at both Awoonga and Monduran now I am living up this way..but I would not go with that guide. Not into people full of their own self imposed importance thanks.