Choice should be a given right for all Australians.  The recreational boating community is currently having choice taken away from it by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).  The AMSA are going back on their previous advice after being contacted by charter boat operators that do not want recreational boating enthusiasts to have the choice to organise their trips on a more secure, safe and sustainable platform.  If something is not done to right this wrong now there is no telling where it will stop.

Please, it is important that you read this petition and view the videos (along with the information at www.petition.boatigo.com to see the blatant acts by the AMSA and the charter boat operators to remove choice from the recreational boating and fishing communities.

Boatigo has already had a positive impact on recreational Captains and Crew around Australia.  Here is what some of them have to say:

“I’ve always wanted to check out Dunk Island near Mission Beach. The return trip from my place is 1600km! I could now use Boatigo with an experienced skipper to get a safe and informative trip a from near Mission Beach.  I would then be able to make an informed decision on whether to tow my boat all the way up there for boating.” Ray, Townsville QLD

“I love the concept of Boatigo and can’t wait for COVID to bugger off so we can get out there again off Broome.” James, Broome WA

“I was finding that my rig was doing a lot of driveway time when I was off work and didn’t have an available first mate.  When I saw Boatigo pop up on my Facebook newsfeed, I thought it sounded like a really easy way to connect with fishing fanatics in my area.”  Natalie, Dampier WA

Background

Boatigo is an online platform that gives recreational Captains and Crew choice.  The choice to allow a more secure, safe, sustainable way for recreational trips to be organised than the current practice of organising them in pubs, clubs, social media platforms and online forums.

You can view the many benefits Boatigo brings to the recreational boating community at www.petition.boatigo.com

Trips that are organised on the platform are recreational in nature and the contributions Captains receive are towards the running cost of that trip and not at a commercial profit.

Unfortunately, we are at a crossroads with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) who  have changed their advice (after complaints from ill-informed charter boat operators) and now claim that if a person uses their vessel to take another person out for the day, and accepts a non-profit contribution towards the running costs of the boat, then the vessel is a domestic commercial vessel. A domestic commercial vessel is the legal way of saying that it’s subject to a lot more regulatory and compliance costs.

They are taking away choice!

Currently, the AMSA is now threatening recreational boat owners who have listed their vessels on Boatigo with fines for simply having someone come along on a trip and contribute (not at a profit) to the running costs for the day.  We believe that every recreational boat owner SHOULD have the choice to get non-profit contributions that allow you to enjoy your hobby more frequently.  The AMSA’s current interpretation of regulations take this choice away from you. 

They are taking away choice! 

The AMSA are taking away the choice that SHOULD be given for recreational boat Captains and Crew to organise their recreational trips in a more secure, safe and sustainable way.

We have release three videos to clearly outline everything:

Video 1:  Stop the AMSA taking choice away from recreational boating and fishing!

Video 2:  How the AMSA have taken choice away from recreational boating and fishing!

Video 3: United we can get choice back for recreational boating and fishing!

What do we want to happen?

Boatigo wants the AMSA to acknowledge and stick by its original advice that recreational boat owners who receive a contribution towards running costs (not at a profit) is a hobby and can operate under a recreational license.  We want the AMSA to clearly state this, so our recreational boating community knows it without a doubt and can show their boat and find trips without fear.

So, we need your help.  We need to bring this to the attention of those that can institute change. 

Michael McCormack is the federal minister for infrastructure, transport and regional development.  He is the minister responsible for the AMSA and we need him to be made aware of what the AMSA and the charter boat operators are doing. 

Please sign this petition and let Michael McCormack and AMSA know that what is happening is know that it is NOT okay.  Share this petition across social media and help us get the coverage we need so that we can get back to building the Boatigo community with clarity for our Captains and Crew.

I thank you all for your support so far and look forward to continuing to build a secure, safe platform for the recreational boating and fishing communities.