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New improved WA data and functionality available now on the already popular Deckee boating app will provide key information to be safe on the water.

The Department of Transport (DoT) and Deckee have been working collaboratively for several years to make available specific real time information to WA water users similar to the service supplied for New South Wales and Tasmania.

DoT Manager of Safety Education Laurie Adams said people who work or spend leisure time on the water in WA should get the Deckee app.

“The free app includes information to plan a safe day on the water including safety equipment requirements, public mooring locations, jetties, ski area boundaries, boat ramp locations and more,” Mr Adams said.

“On the water skippers can access location-based data including navigation aids, speed zones and webcams in an interactive format, which will not only inform skippers, it will give DoT insights into boating behaviour.

“Tragically, in the last decade to July 2020 there have been 63 recreational boating deaths in WA, including six in the last financial year (2019-20). 

“The app is not a replacement for safety equipment but if put to good use the information it contains could be a lifesaver.”

Deckee, delivers at people’s fingertips a wealth of information to enjoy a safe day on the water in WA and includes many handy functions for people working on the water.

The app, which is the latest marine safety initiative from DoT, is being released in time for the upcoming boating season and will transform the way water lovers and the maritime community accesses up-to-date safety information.

Deckee is available now for free download from the App Store and Google Play Store. Visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/Deckee to find out more.

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au

Local governments, workplaces, schools and individuals have been recognised at the 2020 Your Move Awards, which celebrate the success and achievements of those championing for Western Australians to walk, ride and use public transport more often.  

The Department of Transport’s (DoT) Executive Director Urban Mobility Justin McKirdy said the Awards were expanded this year to not only recognise participants of the Your Move program but also Western Australian Bicycle Network grant recipients delivering exemplary cycling and walking infrastructure projects all over the State. 

“It was fantastic to formally recognise the way local and State government are working collaboratively to provide communities access to safer, more convenient active transport options,” Mr McKirdy said. 

“Building paths for people to walk and ride, then encouraging communities to use these new paths is a vital part of our WA Bicycle Network Grants program so it’s important to showcase best practice examples and recognise those who do it well,” he said. 

DoT’s Your Move program supports and encourages workplaces, schools and local communities to choose walking, riding and public transport more often and enjoy the health and environmental benefits these more active and sustainable transport options offer. 

The program continues to grow, with 58 workplaces, 24 local governments and 171 schools across Western Australia now participating in Your Move. 

Further, DoT is currently partnering with the City of Stirling to deliver its successful Your Move community program. Your Move Stirling launched in September and aims to help 16,000 City of Stirling residents to live a more active and connected lifestyle.  

Mr McKirdy said the award winners demonstrated best practice across the areas of behaviour change, infrastructure design, construction, activation and evaluation in delivering their projects. 

“I would like to congratulate the award winners, those shortlisted, and everyone involved in the Your Move and Western Australian Bicycle Network grants programs for helping to create more active, healthy and connected communities,” he said. 

The winners of the 2020 Your Move Awards are:

• Your Move Achieve Award - Schools
  Winner: Lake Gwelup Primary School 
   
• Your Move Achieve Award - Local Government/Workplaces
  Winner: City of Fremantle
   
• Your Move Innovate Award - Schools
  Winner: Mt Lawley Primary School Traffic Management Group
   
• Your Move Innovate Award Local Government/Workplaces
  Winner: Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council
   
• Your Move Champion – Schools, Individual 
  Winner: Julia Calvert, Winterfold Primary School
   
• Your Move Champion – Schools, Team
  Winner: Warnbro Community High School Health and Wellbeing Team
   
• Your Move Champion - Local Government/Workplaces
  Winner: City of Albany Green Team
   
• WA Bicycle Network Award – Regional Bike Network project 
  Winner: Shire of Kondinin, Hyden Shared Path
   
• WA Bicycle Network Award – Perth Bike Network project 
  Winner: City of Canning, Canning Route 1

To view the full list of award recipients and find out more about their achievements visit the Your Move website.

Please note further photographs are available upon request.

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au

2020 Your Move Award winners (image)

The need to carry in-date flares when boating in open waters will be highlighted as part of a focus on safety at boat ramps to coincide with the start of summer.

Department of Transport (DoT) Marine Officers will lead two weekend-long campaigns targeting metropolitan boat ramps north and south of the river where all vessels are safety checked before they launch.

DoT Director Waterways Safety Chris Mather said there had been a concerningly high number of skippers (270) infringed or stopped from launching for expired flares or no flares already this financial year.

“Last year there was a total of 962 flare related infringements or turn-aways and while there has been a recent slight increase, of around four per cent, in the number of recreational vessels on the water it is a concerning trend,” Mr Mather said.

“In-date flares are required safety equipment for boating in open waters and skippers who fail to carry them are risking their lives.”

Officers will be inspecting vessels and reminding skippers their safety gear should be in good condition and accessible in an emergency. They will also be suggesting skippers and passengers take the 30 Second Challenge which tests readiness for an emergency response on board a vessel. The initiative tests if people can gather flares, EPIRB, make a radio call and don a lifejacket in 30 seconds.

The first weekend long campaign will focus on boat ramps from Woodman Point to Port Kennedy next weekend (November 28 and 29, 2020) and the second campaign, on December 12 and 13, will concentrate on launch sites from Hillarys Boat Harbour to Two Rocks.

For more information about boating safety visit the Marine section.

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au