About RMBOA

The River Murray Boat Owners Association (RMBOA) of South Australia Inc is a group who enjoy the Murray for its beauty, wildlife, vegetation, recreational qualities and priceless value to our country. Our Code of Practice is designed so that we do not degrade these qualities or negatively impact on other river users.

History

A group of people who enjoyed using the river on their boat, started a river Murray boating group in the seventies with meetings being held at Blanchtown. After a while it was decided to divide the club into two with one group covering the Upper Murray from Blanchetown to the SA border, now known as Riverland Cruising Boat Club (RCBC) and the second group covering the Lower Murray from Blanchetown to Goolwa, now known as the River Murray Boat Owners Association (RMBOA), with it's first meeting being held in September 1976 at the Terminus Hotel, Strathalbyn.

The RMBOA was officially formed in 1981 because a group of boating enthusiasts believed that recreational boat owners on the River Murray and the Lakes did not have an organisation to represent them during the Disher Creek to the Border study. The Association went on to create the River Ramble that gives the opportunity for people to travel along the river regardless of the size of their boat and their experience along the river.

Coverage

RMBOA members cover the entire length of the Murray River in South Australia. Our members are not confined to South Australia, with members in Victoria and New South Wales. The range of membership provides members with the ability to tap into local knowledge all along the river in South Australia.

Range of RMBOA Vessels Along the River Murray in South Australia

Recreation

The RMBOA runs cruising events such as the River Ramble, Mini-Ambles, Trailer Trundles and more. We also hold an annual AGM, Member lunch meetings and XMAS party.

River Ramble

The River Ramble is a cruise for members only and it is held every two years.

It is a family oriented cruise and participants can range in age from under 8 to over 80. Each mooring location is provided with facilities such as toilets so that even small boats without on-board facilities can join in. Where practical, optional catered meals are provided so that Ramblers can relax in the evening without worrying about doing the cooking and washing up.

In some locations Ramblers are invited to enjoy the evening activities such as a camp fire, a fancy dress party or professional entertainers.

This event is not a race and is conducted at a leisurely and civilised pace. The Ramble is aimed at displacement vessels and only travels about 20 to 40 kilometres a day, which gives crews ample time to enjoy the river views; meet old, or make new, friends; and perhaps get a feeling for the history of the river. The always-colourful fleet is made up of all types of vessels from luxury houseboats to modest tinnies, or even kayaks!

For more information check out the River Ramble page.

Mini-Ambles

Unlike the Ramble, a Mini-Amble is an informal event open to members and prospective members. The RMBOA does not provide facilities, nor does it arrange entertainment but it does organise activities.

For more information check out the Mini Amble page.

Information

The RMBOA keeps its membership informed via this website, emails and magazine, The Rambler. The Rambler magazine is generally published quarterly and provides in depth coverage of issues affecting members of the Association. The Rambler can be viewed by members by logging into the members area on this website.

Representation

The RMBOA represents its members to government organisations such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The Department for Environment and Water (DEW), The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) and SA Planning.  

The RMBOA supports environmental responsibility, but resists unreasonable or impractical controls and regulations that will divide river users and diminish enjoyment of the river for all. Our aims and objectives as set out in the constitution are:

• To assist in protecting the River Murray and its environs from all forms of damage, pollution and destruction by the education and self-discipline of all who use it.
• To communicate with members and boat owners by keeping them informed of relevant developments.
• To liaise with governments and their instrumentalities, and other relevant organisations having any form of control or interest in the river and its environment.
• To arrange, manage and co-ordinate functions of recreation, education and conservation surrounding the river, to benefit members and other users of the river.

The RMBOA represents the interests of its members to government, semi-government and other organisations on matters relating to recreational boating on the Murray River in South Australia. It helps ensure that policy is implemented in a manner that provides the most cost effective solution for the recreational boater.

The RMBOA maintains constructive dialogues with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in relation to matters such as greywater requirements for private vessels with overnight accommodation.

The EPA provided RMBOA members with a briefing on what they will be expected to do in 2011 to bring their vessels inline with the greywater regulations. The EPA commented favourably on the RMBOA's Greywater Standard Operating Procedure document, developed to assist members' vessels to be classified as low greywater risk vessels.

The RMBOA represented the interests of its members by responding to the potentially catastrophic Houseboat, Mooring and Marina Strategy for the River Murray in South Australia. The RMBOA's submission was supported by various organisations such as the Boating Industry Association of South Australia (BIASA), the Houseboat Hirer's Association (HHA), the Riverland Cruising Boat Club (RCBC) and the Wooden Boat Association of South Australia (WBASA). As a result of the disquiet about the original proposal, it was split into a marina strategy and a Best Practice for Houseboat Use On The River Murray developed by the Department of Water.

Information has been provided to the Department of Environment and Water about reducing the environmental impact of boating on the river.