Skipper Information

We have prepared a Code of Conduct (below) that every Skipper must agree to when they complete their Skipper Registration Form (available in March).

The information on this page should be read in conjunction with the following document provided by Queensland Government. This is important information for your Skipper.

• Boating Checklist

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Skipper Registration

This asks you to sign as confirmation that you understand all of the rules and guidelines for your participation, as outlined below in the ‘Code of Conduct’.

Separate forms for Skippers and Paddlers will be available. The following information is required from Skippers:

• Swimmers Name/s, Duo Name or Team Name
• Safety Briefing you plan to attend
• Name of the boat to be used
• Boat registration number
• Boat length
• Make of boat – boat make and model
• Engine Type – inboard or outboard
• Skipper name
• Skipper address
• Skipper mobile number
• Skipper email address
• Marine Licence number

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Communications

All Skippers MUST carry the following:

• a mobile phone;
• a GPS device (or smartphone app with GPS technology); and
• a VHF Radio.

Smartphone apps will have GPS technology are acceptable, they also allows you to plot and follow the course coordinates.

When contacting the Radio Controller, your Caller ID is your entry category + number. For example:

• if you are a solo swimmer 100 then your Caller ID is “Solo 100”
• if you are a swimmer in Team 15 then you Caller ID will be “Team 15”

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Code of Conduct for Skippers

1. Every Skipper must attend a Safety Briefing prior to the event.  Swimmer entry will be withdrawn if a Skipper fails to attend.

2. Any Skipper who does not adhere to these rules, or general Queensland Government boating regulations, will risk swimmer disqualification

3. Skippers must have a Recreational Marine Licence valid in QLD.

4. Support boats must display (in an easily visible position) the supplied boat stickers showing their race number.

5. All Support boats must have marine safety and emergency equipment as required by Queensland Government boating regulations

6. Every Support boat must have an operating VHF Radio. On Event Day, the radio must be tuned to the VHF channel 68 while participating. Skippers must follow any instructions given by the Race Director.

7. Every Support Boat must have a mobile phone and GPS device (or smartphone GPS app) on-board so they can be contacted / located by Safety Boats if required. A mobile number for the Race Director will be supplied at the Compulsory Race Briefing before the event.

8. Swimmers, support boats and paddlers should expect to encounter recreational boating traffic throughout the event. There are no special arrangements made with recreational boats (the general public), so skippers must use their discretion when approaching other vessels and alert their swimmer if danger is imminent.

9. No vessel shall exceed a speed of 6 knots within 200m of a swimmer or their Support Boat

10. Support Boats must maintain a distance of at least 20m from all course buoys (Start Lane, Checkpoints, Finish Lane)

11. To safely perform a swimmer pick-up, at any time:
    1. Support boat motors (all motors & outboards) must be disengaged and in neutral
    2. Support boats MUST NOT make way astern to collect a swimmer

12. A designated ‘Spotter’ (who is not the Skipper) must maintain a view of their swimmer at all times. The Skipper is ultimately responsible for their swimmer and should determine a spotter roster or rotation before the event commences. This can be a team member or other passenger.

13. In the event of a shark sighting, skippers may be required to evacuate their swimmer from the water. All skippers acknowledge that failing to follow the directions of the Race Officials may risk their swimmer being disqualified.

14. All Skippers should expect random spot checks from Queensland Government staff to ensure their vessel and safety equipment meets all Queensland Government regulations.

15. We strongly recommend that all vessels with a rear-mounted outboard motor are fitted with a propeller guard to ensure safety during swimmer changeovers.  All Skippers will be asked in their Registration Form to acknowledge that their swimmer is at greater risk of propeller related injuries if they choose not to fit a propeller guard.

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Rules for Support Paddlers

A support paddler is mandatory for the 10km event.

1. If Paddlers choose to depart from the beach, they must depart from the designated Assembly Area on the left of the start line at Burleigh Beach.
2. If Paddlers choose their own entry, they must wait offshore and pair with their swimmer at the exit of the Start Lane
3. Paddlers must meet their Swimmer at the exit of the Start Lane. The end of the Start Lane is marked by the TWO WHITE BUOYS opposite the Support Paddler Waiting Zone (map provided in Final Event Handbook)
4. All Paddlers must stay on the left of the finish lane buoys and exit to the left of the finish area at Surfers Paradise
5. Any Paddler who allows a swimmer to contact / hold their paddle craft will risk swimmer disqualification

Please remember, the event rules, course and boating regulations have been developed in collaboration with the local authorities in our host region and state.  Some elements of the event format will therefore be different from marathon swims you have completed in other states or countries.

Contact the World Series Swims team…

Marathon Inquiries:

Marathon@worldseriesswims.com.au