New snorkelling and diving Code of Practice now in force in Queensland

The Queensland Government has announced that new laws have been introduced to make recreational snorkelling and diving safer are now now in force.

Commenting on the new recreational snorkelling and diving Code of Practice for Queensland tourism today in Cairns, Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace advised “we have had extensive consultation with industry and I am confident that this finalised code will ensure visitors who are diving and snorkelling in our state feel it is being done in the safest manner possible.

“Queensland has the largest recreational snorkelling and diving sector in Australia and we’re the only state to have specific legislation covering the industry.

Minister Grace said the revised snorkelling and diving Code of Practice adopted a number of new safety measures which:

• Require automatic external defibrillators on reef tourist vessels;
• Ensure operators have systems in place to identify at-risk snorkellers prior to them entering the water;
• Mandate the use of floatation devices for at-risk snorkellers; and
• Require at-risk snokellers to swim in a buddy pair. 

Based on expert advice from tourism industry operators and work safety experts, the introduction of the Code of Practice follows a wave of fatalities in Queensland from recreational diving and snorkelling between July and December 2016.

Minister Grace said there will also be a consistent safety message for all recreational and at-risk snorkellers, meaning the right safety message will be communicated to them when they leave on their vessel.

“There are also minor diving-related amendments in the Code which: 
- simplify certain requirements so that they align with international training agency standards;
- enhance supervision requirements by ensuring instructors are positioned to render assistance in an emergency; and
- include a requirement for training to teach resort divers how to practically inflate and deflate their buoyancy control device.” 

Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators Chief Executive Col McKenzie added “local tourism operators support the new code and I look forward to working with industry to ensure it works as intended.”

Image: Snorkellers at Great Keppel Island.

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