Queensland boat licensing laws have come under fire after an industry review revealed a concerning increase in maritime related deaths in 2009.
The Queensland Marine Incidents report found 20 people had died in 14 separate marine-related accidents, which is up from 2 in 2008.
Alcohol was deemed to be the major contributing factor to six deaths over four incidents.
Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said many of the fatalities were arguably foreseeable and avoidable.
"Boat operators and their passengers need to understand they are responsible for their actions and if they do the wrong thing, there can be a terrible price to pay," she said.
Marine Queensland CEO Don Jones said the issue went beyond skippers and passengers.
"I guess it is like anything, you can't legislate against stupidity but that's not the only factor," Mr Jones said.
"If we are going to be serious about behavioral change then we need to make sure that the waterways are safe, we need to make sure there is appropriate education programs out there and we also need to make sure that our licensing regimes are adequate as well."
Mr Jones has put forward a tiered licensing system along with refresher courses for boat operators depending on how often they use their vessels.
"One of the issues is to obtain a boat license you can pretty much do that within one day," he said.
"It is a process where you undertake the theory and do a short water test and then you have the boat license and that license enables you to operate basically any recreational craft, it doesn't matter whether it is a tinny or a large luxury vessel.
"That would be the equivalent of someone who attains a driving license being able to drive anything from a small motor scooter right through to a large truck.
"I think there is certainly a need to have a comprehensive review of the licensing regime to ensure that there is a better match between skills and knowledge with the sort of waters people are going to take their vessels into," he said.
He also went on to say the state's waterways were also a contributing element to the fatality increase.
Queensland experienced an increase of 5000 more registered recreational vessels in 2009, bringing the total to around 233,000.
"If you look at areas like the Gold Coast those waterways are becoming more and more congested," he said.
"The state of the waterways is not where we think it should be it terms of the implementation of dredging programs and such.
"It is akin to our road network, if the roads aren't maintained then there's normally a consequent increase in accidents and that's what we are seeing on our waterways as well."
The report revealed that over 30% of fatalities were associated with unusual weather events.
Of the 768 marine incidents reported one in 20 was either fatal or resulted in serious injury.
Source: Brisbanetimes.com.au
