Wherever possible launch and disembark at designated ramps to prevent erosion and damage to shorelines and vegetation
If travelling in an estuary reduce the impact of wake by observing speed limits and/or ‘no wake’ zones
Position the boat toward the centre of water channels and ensure the vessel is correctly trimmed
Take care in areas of seagrass, coral reef and mangroves to avoid grounding and damage from keels and propellers. Ensure there is a minimum of 1.0 m clearance between the vessel’s propeller and the seabed to avoid churning up bottom sediments or damaging seagrass beds
Operate your boat in displacement mode in turtle areas to avoid collisions with these animals
When at sea navigate the vessel away from or around flocks of roosting or feeding seabirds
Anchorage
Use moorings where available, check they are suitable for your boat and current weather conditions
Be aware of ‘no anchor’ zones
Make sure your vessel’s anchor is large enough to avoid dragging and has enough chain for the type of anchorage
If possible check out an area before anchoring and avoid lowering onto sensitive habitats such as seagrass or coral
If not using a fixed mooring designate a diver to inspect anchor when first entering water. He/she checks for safe holding and minimal damage caused by chain, and repositions anchor/chain as required. The last diver leaving the water is responsible to ensure anchor can be raised easily
Anchoring in seagrass areas should be avoided at all costs, but if that is not possible then a soft bag filled with sand is likely to cause minimum damage to seagrass beds
Use heavy plastic tubing over the anchor chain wherever possible
Motor toward the anchor when hauling in
Ensure an anchor ‘watch’ is undertaken by the coxswain/boat driver
Managing Dive Sites
Install or lobby for permanent buoyed mooring at dive sites which are experiencing anchor damage
Rotate dive sites to avoid over-using a particular site
Be aware of special rules in marine protected areas such as marine parks and aquatic reserves