Brisbane Ferry Passengers Fined for River Plunges

Seven men have been issued a $2,040 infringement notice after deliberately jumping from a moving domestic commercial vessel into the Brisbane River, informs the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

Queensland Water Police Senior Sergeant Warren Francis, said this was an extremely dangerous stunt and the men were lucky to escape injury. “The risk of injury or death is very high with this type of activity and it was an extremely reckless and dangerous stunt. The Queensland Police Service reminds people that any report of unsafe action on the water will be fully investigated and reported to the appropriate authority for prosecution,” Senior Sergeant Francis said.

AMSA says that this is the second time it has issued an infringement notice for an offence of this nature under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012, which commenced on July 1, 2013.

The first infringement notice for an offence of this nature occurred in February this year, with a man in his twenties also fined $2040 after deliberately jumping from a moving CityCat into the Brisbane River.

Queensland Police Service investigated the incident and the men were issued an infringement notice under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) as the National Regulator for domestic commercial vessels.

This Act provides that all passengers have a duty on domestic commercial vessels to take reasonable care for his or her own safety.

Offences relating to a contravention of this duty carry a maximum penalty of 12 months imprisonment or court imposed fine of $34,000.

An eighth man was issued a warning for obstructing and hindering the investigation being conducted by the marine safety inspectors.

AMSA’s General Manager, Domestic Vessel Division, John Fladun, said it was important that passengers of all domestic commercial vessels followed the instructions of crew members, and signage displayed on the vessel.

“All passengers of domestic commercial vessels must comply with on board safety instructions and have a responsibility not to put themselves or others at any unnecessary risk through reckless activities such as this,”

Mr Fladun said. “AMSA takes incidents of this nature seriously and any person found breaching the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 may face penalties,” he said.

Source: AMSA