Safety Operations Manual

Being an electric, low horse powered, boat, it will drive differently than a petrol boat, but with similar features.

• Blue Kill Switch – is magnetic and needs to stay in the throttle mount at all times for you to have control of the boat. This controls the electricity and the propeller to run. If removed from the mount, the propeller will stop and you cannot steer the boat.

• Display Panel – buttons are not to be touched after tie off as you may accidentally turn the boat off or change settings of the engine. Please:
  • Keep an eye on the display regularly and check how much power you have
  • If you are low, please slow down
  • If you accidentally turn the boat off, please press the ON button until the display turns on. If the boat doesn’t start, you may have taken the Kill Switch off. If this is notthe case, check the battery levels on the display which you can find at the top.
• To start driving, move the throttle away from you to move forward. The further you move it the faster it will go. Move it towards you, back to the  starting point and the boat will slow down.
• If you need to reverse – this will hardly happen, but if need be, slow the boat down completely by moving the throttle to the starting point. Then move the throttle slowly towards you and you will start to reverse.
  • When you reverse, the steering will be the opposite of how you steer moving forward. Take your time and do it slowly
  • If you reverse too fast, the engine will come flying out of the water.

Here’s what to do –

1. Remove the Kill Switch from the throttle mount to stop the propeller.
2. Place your feet on the left hand side of the engine.

3. With your left hand, move the blue lever on the left hand side of the engine whilst lifting the engine up to release the
4. Then lower the engine all the way

down in the water again. If it doesn’t move, start with number 3 again.

o When the engine is down in the water, turn back to the steering wheel and place the Kill Switch in the mount, put the throttle in neutral and you can start to drive again.

Left is left and right is right. Just like a car. Do remember that wind, waves and boat wash factors in. Make small movement and don’t oversteer.

Picnic Boat – This boat is registered for 8 people, but from 2024 season, only 7 people can embark due to new compliance from AMSA. This includes infants, children and dogs.

The Sun Lounge – This boat is only for 4 adult. No kids or dogs are allowed.

Do not overload the boat as it can cause capsizing, or other damage to the boat. It can also cause Nauti Picnics to loose the licence to operate. If any of the above should happen, you will be liable for the damage and cost involved.

The operating area is within the certain area of which you have booked the boat –
3 hours are between Maylands and EQ and Maylands and Garvey Park, whilst 6 hours may take you to the Swan Valley.

Nauti only operates in smooth waters. The boat cannot be taken in to Melville waters which is after the Narrows and the City.

Our boundaries of operation are defined in the chart/map on our website and it is also provided in the boat.

It is the skipper’s responsibility to ensure the operation of the boat is at all times confined to the waters that fall within the limits of operation.

If unsure of these boundaries, please contact Nauti Picnics on 0422 709 334

The nominated skipper in charge of the vessel must comply with state law regarding blood alcohol levels of less than .05%

The skipper is also responsible for the boat, everyone onboard and other recreational users on the river.

Skipper! Please familiarise yourself with the info below prior to the start of the hire. This is to make sure the skipper understands its obligations and risks associated with boating.

Please download Nebo from this website – It will show you boundaries, cafes included jetties you can stop at and toilets, but it’s not a navigation tool.
These things you will learn here

As we only operate on the Swan River, you will always have mobile coverage whilst on the river.

You must leave your mobile phones ON and available so Nauti Picnics can contact you, and you can contact Nauti should you need help.

In the event of an emergency, the skipper will take charge in accordance with the emergency procedures in the onboard folder and all persons aboard need to follow the instructions.

Nauti Picnics’ vessels accommodates from 4 people up to 7 people and is equipped with 4 and 8 adult life jackets (personal floating devices (PFD 150)) These are located under the skipper seat at the back of the boat.

Children’s life jackets have to be requested at the time of the booking. Children under 10 have to wear life jackets at all times during the hire and it cannot be taken off. Fines applies if caught by authorities.

Children are not to be left unattended, nor sit on the front (bow) of the boat nor have their hands and legs over the side of the boat.

Nauti does not carry dog life vests.

The G6 is fitted with a ePropulsion Navy 3 electric engine which is calibrated to 800W. This equates to 5 horse power which means anyone over the age of 20 can drive the boat with approval from Nauti Picnics.

Maximum speed, depending on weather, load and waves are 3.6 – 4 knots. This is below the regulated speed limit of 5-8 knots on the Swan River.

The engine is checked and tested prior to your departure.

Under Before You Sail you will find more information about how to drive the boat and if something goes wrong. If you have any problems, please call Nauti ASAP on 0422 709 334, do not attempt to fix something yourselves

The vessels batteries and chargers are placed in the hull of the boat.

Prior to each boat session, the boat will have enough charge for that hire.

A 6 hour hire, will always be at 100% when starting the hire.

If you are noticing the battery level is going down quickly. Stop the boat, remove the kill switch and lift the engine to examine the propeller. If there is anything stuck in the prop, this can slow the boat down, and drain the battery. Remove whatever is stuck and lower the engine back into the water.

If for some other reason the battery is draining, slow down the driving to around 600Watts and contact Nauti Picnics should you be late to return the boat on time.

The propeller is checked before and after every hire. If you stay in the middle of the river, the prop should not get damaged. If the boat slows down, you may have damaged the prop and you need to inspect it as mentioned under Batteries

No garbage is to be discharged overboard. It must be disposed of in the bin provided on board. Nauti will remove it on completion of the hire.

Garbage include liquids as well. No alcohol or sugary drinks to be disposed of overboard. Only water.

Make sure you do not bring cling wrap, napkins, plastic bags etc that can easily escape overboard.

Nauti operates under the Leave No Trace principle.

Driving the boat is very simple, but as with every other powered vehicle there are things around you that can change and distract you from safety.

It is imperative that you know the risks and that you are responsible to take action and stay safe.

Nauti has made available:

• Maps and navigation rules
• 15 min Safety induction and boat handling
• Nebo app (with GPS)
• Confirmation Email
• T&C’s

Please make sure you are familiar with all aspects of being in control of our vessel.

Boat is going too slow – something may have happened

1. Stop the boat by putting the throttle in neutral and reverse slowly until the boat has stopped.
2. Take the kill switch out of the throttle mount (very important so no one accidentally turns the boat on)
3. Swing your feet over the skipper seat on the left hand side of the engine, to the back of the boat
4. Look down at the prop to see if it looks broken. If it cannot be established, then go to number 5
5. Grab the engine with your right hand, life the blue lever at the same time and lift it up towards the transom. No need to use much force, but the engine might feel heavy for some.
6. The engine is now above the waterline and you will be able to inspect the prop
7. If the prop is damaged or the fin has broken off call us on 0422 709 334

If something is stuck in the propeller

1. With a little effort, you should be able to take the object away from the propeller
2. If the prop is damaged, call Nauti Picnics 0422 709 334

 Lowering the engine

1. in both incidents above, you will need to lower the engine again to be able to drive the
2. With both your feet stable on the platform next to the engine and your bottom on the seats

3. Grab the engine and lift it as far up as you can and press the blue release button and push the engine back down, the last step you will have to release the blue lever as well to put the engine in the correct angle
4. When the engine is back in the water, you may let go and return to the steering
5. Place the kill switch in the throttle mount again and move the throttle slowly away from you
6. The boat should now start to move

There may be times when we consider it appropriate to refuse or prohibit passengers onboard our boat, or call you back from your hire earlier. These situations may be:

• not being prepared and is found to be unfit to control our boat
• inappropriate behaviour
• intoxication
• not following navigation rules and are putting your crew in danger

  You agree that this is our absolute right and refusal by any person on board to adhere to our request will result in an immediate cessation of the operation of the hire with no refund. You agree to be responsible for any guests brought onto the vessel and you agree to forfeit of any payment made to us in such circumstances.