This is a joint media release from WA Police Force and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
WA Police Force and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) have increased charter vessel liquor licence compliance and enforcement efforts.
Alcohol and maritime activities can be a deadly mix, and the safety of all persons on board charter vessels, or ‘party boats’, is of paramount importance. Officers from WA Police’s Liquor Enforcement Unit and DLGSC’s Liquor Division have joined forces under Operation Chale to undertake random compliance checks of charter vessel operations involving the sale, supply or presence of alcohol.
The type of licence required for a function on a ‘party boat’ depends on the size of the function and whether the charter is a one-off event, or if the operator conducts regular charters. An Approved Manager and appropriately trained staff may be required to be onboard for larger events, and during Operation Chale DLGSC inspectors will check that those requirements are being met.
Organisers may be exempt from obtaining a licence if the function is for a limited duration and only involves a small number of people with limited alcohol being served, or if those onboard supply their own alcohol. However, in all circumstances, alcohol must be served responsibly and can never be served to juveniles or intoxicated people.
With the support of Water Police and the Department of Transport, random compliance checks can occur anywhere on the water, not just at points of departure or arrival. Checks may be undertaken in relation to the holding of an appropriate liquor license where required, the presence of Approved Managers and suitably trained staff, and the responsible service of alcohol.
While educating vessel operators, Approved Managers and staff of their legal requirements will be the primary objective, serious breaches of the law may result in infringements or charges.
In one recent deployment of officers and staff, 28 compliance checks were undertaken on charter vessels operating on the Swan River. No significant breaches of the law were identified, and important intelligence was gathered regarding the conduct of some operators, which will be factored into future deployments.
Inspector Doug Stjepic from WA Police Force’s Licensing Enforcement Division said charter vessel operators can expect to see more compliance activities being undertaken, both jetty-side and on the water.
“Liquor Enforcement Unit officers will be conducting both random and targeted compliance audits on charter vessels, and on the appropriate Approved Manager where a liquor licence is required.
“By keeping our efforts random in nature, it means all charter vessel operators will need to ensure they are complying with their legal obligations at all times. However, where we have intelligence that a particular operator may not be complying with the law, targeted compliance actions will occur.”
Lanie Chopping, Director of Liquor Licensing said “Whether on land or on water, liquor laws apply and operators of party boats or organisers of one-off, on-water functions need to be aware of their obligations.
“While small functions or BYO events may not need a licence, the operators of charter boats must be aware of their responsibility to ensure alcohol is being consumed safely. This is particularly important when the venue is surrounded by water and may not be easily accessed by emergency services.
“Operation Chale is an important multi-agency educational initiative that recognises the dangers that exist if liquor laws are ignored, and people onboard become intoxicated. Our aim is to make sure summer festivities on charter boats go ahead in a safe and responsible manner by engaging with operators, and educating them about the requirements is a year-round activity for us.”
Details of charter boat licensing requirements are available on the DLGSC website: https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/department/publications/publication/charter…;
