Please make sure you have your Skipper’s Ticket and your current COF for your boat with you when you launch. DSBC Safety Officers may request this before allowing you to launch.
If you are not a member of Durban Undersea Club please note launch fees are R350 for KZN and DTD numbers.
If you are affiliated to another club and the number on your boat reflects this then launch fees are R150 (If your number does not reflect this you will need to produce proof that you are a paid up member of your club).
If you require a tractor tow this is an additional R100. This needs to be paid to Karen who is at the launch site from first light on public holidays and weekends, or paid into the Admin Office on weekdays. Please note if you launch before the Admin Office is open you can pay on your return. Both boats and Jet Ski’s are required to sign the launch register before heading out to sea. The register can be found on the table at the entrance to DSBC. The register must be completed in full with all details required entered.
Before launching on weekends and public holidays, a radio check must be done with the control tower duty officer which is directly above the DSBC entrance. All craft are required to get permission to launch and beach from the control tower. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action being taken. You need to use Channel 19 on a 29 Meg Radio or Channel 08 on VHF. You should have a 29 Meg radio as per DSBC regulations, however a VHF radio is acceptable. Marine radio frequencies:
http://capespectrum.wordpress.com/vhf-marine-band/
The Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessel Safety) Regulations 2007,Regulation 12: Voyage Information
- Before a vessel goes to sea from a place in the republic, the owner and skipper must ensure that there is left behind, particulars in respect of- (a) the identity of the vessel, including its name if any, official number, and or type or make; (b) names of the occupants; and (c) the intended place or places and expected times of departure and arrival.
- Where regulating authorities, authorized agencies or clubs affiliated to a governing body have implemented reporting mechanisms for sheltered waters or at harbours, fishing harbours and approved launch sites, owners and skippers must comply with those mechanisms instead of the requirements under sub-regulation.
- In terms of the launch site permit issued for the purposes of operating a boat launch site issued in terms of Regulation 11 of the Regulations in terms of section 44 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998): Control of Vehicles in the Coastal Zone (Government Notice No. 1399) (“ORV Regulations”), as amended by National Environmental Management Act: Regulations: Amendment (Gazette 27066, Regulation Gazette 8113), 7 December 2004. Permit Condition : 1.1.1 Launch Register: 1.1.1.1 All relevant users must complete the KZN Boat Launch and Catch Register, including commercial fishers, fishing skis and other paddle craft from which fish are caught.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY NIGHT RATED BOATS CAN LAUNCH BEFORE FIRST LIGHT! TRACTOR DRIVERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PUT YOU IN THE WATER BEFORE FIRST LIGHT! PLEASE RESPECT THIS RULE!
PLEASE NOTE THAT INSIDE THE VETCHIES BASIN IS A NO WAKE ZONE!!! THIS IS A LAUNCH SITE AND NOT AN AREA FOR PICKING AND DROPPING OFF PASSENGERS. DSBC LAUNCH SITE IS PURELY TO LAUNCH AND BEACH FOR DEEP SEA FISHING.
IT IS NOT FOR JOY RIDING! DISCIPLINARY ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU IF YOU DO NOT ADHERE TO THE NO WAKE, NO JOYRIDING RULE!