PUBLIC NOTICE – PARKS VICTORIA

DECLARATION OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXEMPTION

Parks Victoria as the declared waterway manager for the Maribyrnong River upstream of Shepherd Bridge on Footscray Road, makes the following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic).

For the purposes of boating activity conducted by Inflatable Regatta Pty Ltd, persons and vessels involved in the Inflatable Regatta Maribyrnong River are exempt from the following requirements:

State Rules made under the Marine Act 1988

1. Clause 2(a) – 5 knots within 50 metres of a person in the water;
2. Clause 2(c) – 5 knots within 50 metres of another vessel;
3. Clause 3(a) – 5 knots within 50 metres of the water’s edge;
4. Clause 3(b) – 5 knots within 50 metres of a fixed or floating structure.

Waterway Rules made under the Marine Safety Act 2010

5. Clause 4.1 of Schedule 4 – 5 knot speed restriction on waters of the Maribyrnong River.

Subject to the conditions detailed below:

Masters of rescue vessels are only exempt from 1 to 5 in the above list when undertaking a rescue operation to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial medical or other needs and deliver them to a place of safety and must adhere to speed and distance rules at all other times.

Occupants of powered vessels used in conjunction with the event must wear a personal flotation device at all times during the event.

The above exemptions apply from 10:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday 29 February 2020 to the rescue service vessels participating in the Inflatable Regatta Maribrynong River, provided the stated safety controls and undertakings detailed in the application form and associated documentation are adhered to.

Parks Victoria

Dated: 26 February 2020

Due to predicted thunder, lightning and rain on Saturday we’ve had to make the decision to cancel the Yarra event.

It’s a tough decision but everyone’s safety is paramount.
Can’t risk it.

We’re very sorry to cancel the Yarra event but it’s necessary given the weather predictions.

This summer has seen it all – bushfires, wind, golf ball hailstones, red dirt rain and so much smoke.

If you’ve got your ticket to the Yarra it’s immediately valid for Inflatable Regatta – Maribyrnong River in Footscray, Saturday 29 February.

Same ticket, same launch time, another great looking Melbourne river.

Come and explore the other side of Melbourne’s inner city that’s also only 4kms from the CBD

We’ve included more details below to explain what it all means and how the decision was made.

We know this will mess up long held plans and extinguish some of the anticipation but when we talked to the Bureau and other stakeholders there wasn’t an option. And we didn’t want to be letting you know on Saturday morning.

We’re here to help too. Contact us with any questions about the change – tickets@inflatableregatta.com

More details about the change

In making the decision we sought information and advice from a range of organisations including; the Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, our safety consultants, event management agency, safety providers and more.

We’d been watching the weather all month and were told twice by meteorologists at the BoM that all the storms will be happening right when the Yarra event was supposed to be on.

The Maribyrnong from Footscray Park has an amazing view of Melbourne, the huge Heavenly Queen Temple, bridges and waterfront Footscray.

Saturday 29 Feb 2020 (Leap Day)
Footscray Rowing Club
Footscray Park
TRAIN: Footscray or Flemington Racecourse Station
BUS: 404, 409, 472
TRAM: 82

We’re planning to have more boats and a bigger party at the finish with requisite food trucks, bar and live music.

Finishing at the old Laneway Festival site next to Footscray Community Arts Centre, Grimes Reserve.

Any friends not up for the paddle can meet you there for drinks and a bit of afternoon riverside entertainment.

If there’s no way you can make it to the event we’ve allowed for tickets to be transferred to friends or family through Eventbrite.

A fair bit.

Brief list; boat, oars, lifejacket, safety teams, staff to get you on and off the water, sunscreen, live music, permits, water (bring a bottle), great views of inner city Melbourne and a trip down the river with 1000+ other paddlers.

You can do your own inflatable trip on the Yarra or the Maribyrnong any day of the year.

That’s how Inflatable Regatta started, then we realised that people much prefer the equipment and services were organised for them.

So you can turn up in a summer outfit with your ticket and have a day on the river then relax at the finishing area.

What’s not included are drinks at the bar and lunch from the food trucks.

At our first public event in 2016 the price was $60. In 2020 it’s $67 and we’ve added live music and are way more organised.

Total weight limit for each boat is 180kgs.

Up to two people per boat. Rowing in pairs is highly recommended.

Food trucks, bar and music. Get all your friends to come down. It’s a great place to relax whether you come to the Yarra or Maribyrnong.

If you’re 13 years or older, welcome aboard! If under 18 you need a two person boat with someone over 18.

Apologies if you’re under 12. We asked our insurers about you but they said no.

There aren’t any comfortable places to get out until you get to the end. If you really need to, yes you can of course, let one of the rescue boat people know so we can tick you off the list.

You’ll be fine. Safety boats will be there to fish you out. Don’t swallow the water. It’s not great to drink. If you do, let one of the event staff know. It’s pretty tough to fall in.

$67 per person plus booking fee

About 2 hours to travel 2 kms down the river. That’s if you’re paddling every now and again. Many have done it faster. The tide moves the river around a bit depending on when you book. And wind can help or hinder.