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DRAGON BOAT SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
The safety requirements for dragon boats required by Maritime NSW are specified in Marine Safety
(General) Regulation 2009 as follows:-
A dragon boat is not required to carry the usual safety equipment specified recreational vessels
operating on enclosed waters if:
(a) each person on board has undergone a safety drill in respect of possible emergencies arising
on the vessel, and
(b) the vessel is displaying appropriate lights when operating between sunset and sunrise, and
(c) the vessel is operating not more than 400 metres from the nearest shore, and
(d) the vessel is built so as to float if swamped or capsized, and
(e) the vessel is returned to shore or a safe haven if the weather or water conditions become, or
are predicted to become, unsuitable for boating, and
(f) the vessel is not rowed in the middle of a channel and is rowed on the starboard side
(bow side) of the channel, and
(g) the vessel is carrying the following equipment:
(i) at least 1 bucket (bailer) with a lanyard attached,
(ii) (Repealed)
(iii) a rope of at least 25 metres in length and 12 millimetres in diameter of the type known
as “silver rope”, securely attached to the dragon boat for towing,
(iv) flares or a mobile telephone (in a water tight container) when the vessel is operating
between sunset and sunrise.