Sometimes it requires vigilance to remain FREE!  Home Page  Back to Issues Page  Over the last few years government intrusion into the privacy of boaty's homes has been extreme. Has this left a chilling cloud over the boating community, an "Iron Curtain of bureaurocracy" that discourages visitors and intimidates the population? Read these examples and see what you think. For Alan Lucas's thought on the subject ...Click here!  (posted 06/02/07)Up-Date....The circumstances reported below have become rare during the last season. There is no question that coverage in the Coastal Passage has had a profound effect on most Queensland Officialdom. When approached now by fisheries or whatever, they will come alongside to request examination of required safety gear or other matters but boardings are virtually unheard of. TCP would like to thank Chris Ayers for his brilliant legal information that informed boaties of their rights and officials, their responsibilities and (importantly) liabilities. To see the article that made the difference, click here. You have more rights than you may think or they want you to know about!  Permission to Come Aboard???????  We would like to share our recent experience whilst cruising in the Hinchinbrook Channel that has left us far from impressed with the men in blue. We were making our way back to our vessel after fishing in our tender in a nearby creek when we were confronted by a police officer & fisheries/national parks officer in a high powered inflatable. We were immediately quizzed as to whether we were using crab traps & how many we had. Then a request of “Which boat is yours?” We indicated our nearby vessel & were sternly told that they would meet us back there. The officers inflatable then proceeded back to our vessel at speed, tied up off the stern & boarded our vessel without invitation while we were still some distance away. At this my husband saw red & I quickly consoled him as we drew nearer as I thought a volley of abuse was not the best way to handle the situation. Upon reaching our vessel we politely asked how we could assist albeit through gritted teeth. We were requested to supply safety gear & upon opening the companionway to obtain flares & EPIRB, the police officer made himself well at home in our settee complete with black soled police boots. Still we remained polite & helpful supplying all in-date & correct safety equipment. Whilst we were away from the boat we had left our water maker running & the police officer demanded to know what the mechanical noise was & would not accept our explanation. To allay his suspicions we had to show him the water maker in action. By now our happy façade was slipping & my husbands blood was boiling. We asked if there was anything else & the reply was unbelievable…..”As you are from NSW do you have a cruising permit to be here? This police officer not only boarded our vessel unaccompanied & without permission in black soled boots, he also didn't know the requirements of interstate vessels. Astounding. Upon our protest of not requiring a permit he conferred with the fisheries/national parks officer (who had remained in our cockpit) who confirmed we were right and also passed a quick look of “lighten up” Now appearing somewhat abashed a quick departure ensued leaving us shaking our heads & feeling somewhat invaded & asking if this was all necessary. Unfortunately this incident has made us somewhat wary & next time we may think twice about being so accommodating. Names withheld… (editors note; most people that complain of this type of behaviour either do not wish to have their story published at all or to not list their names. Wonder why?!)  Whitsunday Wallopers Week.... (Enough #$&@#$^* Surveillance!!)  By Frank Stoove, SY Escondido We left Brisbane in May 2003, heading north to warmer weather and fun in the sun. We had worked the off season to top up the cruising kitty and make sure everything on the boat works and the boat does it's main job, keeping the water out. All the usual hurry and bustle in preparation for the trip included a quick check of the “safety equipment”. Current year Queensland Registration, date stamped flares, date stamped fire extinguishers, date stamped EPIRB……… It is important in Queensland waters to be kept safe from bureaucratic aggravation, so we toe the line of least resistance and pay. By the time we arrive in the 'Whits' in August we are fairly laid back. Good company, good weather and good anchorages in the occasional blow have been the theme for this cruise. Apart from a pesky back injury and some Minor maintenance, we have suffered very few problems or financial setbacks this year. So here we are in paradise, it is Sunday, the anchorage at Burning Point is calm as can be. About eight boats nicely spread in the bay, it does not get much better than this. Except, as the philosopher once said, “you have to pay your dues.” A large planing hull launch came round the corner, the word PATROL emblazoned on the side. 'The Revenuers' had arrived. Being fine and calm and race week, the opportunity for a little extra by way of a Sunday penalty pay had brought the Queensland Navy out of harbour. First job, bring the big boat in and lurk around the anchorage while the anonymity afforded by the reflective glass wheelhouse allows the troops to survey their likely targets. After the initial intimidation tactic, launch the tender and attempt to board every vessel in the anchorage. The object being to officially extort enough money from rat race escapees to pay for the day out. The next day, still wondering how such an expensive operation in equipment and time can possibly pay, or achieve any improvement in safety, we begin to hear a new intrusion into our sense of freedom. The VHF is alive, on channel 16 an authoritative voice from Australian Customs Vessel “Dame Rona Mitchell” interrogates each passing sailing boat between Cape Conway and Shaw Island, in the Whitsunday Passage, as to their identity, skippers name, port of registry, last port of call and where bound? The previous day's experience has still not receded from my mind, and the intrusion on the radio raises my blood pressure. Then, 'round the corner', at high speed, comes a 25' RIB, seven people all facing forward with a distinct military look about them. Coming alongside each vessel in the anchorage the crew are certainly intimidating in appearance with their navy uniforms, flak jackets, dark glasses and side arms. The Customs Service it seems is just showing the flag. As they come alongside they have every appearance of being the SAS team about to board the 'Tampa'. The person in charge says they are just on an informal visit, “nothing formal,” he says with a dismissive wave as I enquire what can we do for you sir. His pistol and flak jacket must be ideal morning tea attire. Then the brief interrogation by the female crew member about registration, origin, destination and a shouted query from the rear as to whether we personally own the yacht. That's it then, and the coxswain opens full throttle away from us to have a 'little chat' with the trailer sailer on the beach. As the goons race from boat to boat in the anchorage,I am once again given cause to wonder if I am in the same country I grew up in. Furious with the intrusion, we decide to head up to Cid Harbour. The afternoon seabreeze gets us past Dent Island and we motor into Cid that night about 8PM. We rise to a beautiful calm morning. Prepare a fruit breakfast and a cup of coffee and up into the cockpit to watch the sun come over the Whitsunday Peak and fill the bay with light. To my dismay the first boat lit by the sun is the 'Dame Rona Mitchell', Customs Vessel, 120' of grey menace. This bay has about 40 boats in it this morning, all waiting for an informal visit from the government's border protection policy. This is not 'Aunty', the entertainment offered is surely costing us more than '8 cents a day'! Sure enough by morning tea time the wallopers are out in their 'tender'. But this time the tone is a little lighter. Three men in navy T-shirts with inflatable life vests. Same questions, god knows what Godfrey Urban the bare boat charter skipper will make of them, “Good morning sir, what is your home port?” “Um, Directors Special?” Three days in a row we have had the pleasure of official intrusion, enough is enough! But wait, is that the Quarantine service I see? Sure enough, Race Week in the Whitsundays is too much temptation for the most dedicated of bureaucrats with a boat. AQIS is out and about too! Do we intend to travel overseas? Have we been to Torres Strait? Do you intend to go to Torres Strait? And on and on and on. Surely there is a way to encourage safe boating and citizenship without the expense and aggravation of trying to run a police state. If spin doctors could be released from their political duties to provide a few clues to bureaucracy about public relations and effective message communication, I am sure the cost of running the Queensland Navy (Boating and Fisheries, National Parks Service), Water Police, Customs, VMR, AQIS, could be reduced to one or two small police vessels in each port, and a man at the boat ramp, with a brief to enforce and advise rather than try to treat us all as potential criminals. Leave the Navy to transport Customs and Immigration and Quarantine, how many admirals can we afford? Local vigilance and communication instead of bureaucratic empire building.