The River Murray Boat Owners Association (RMBOA) provides four main areas of support for its members; coverage, representation, recreation and information for less than 60 cents per week (less than 30 cents per person per week for a family membership).

Coverage

The RMBOA represents members along the entire length of the Murray River in South Australia. It members are not confined to South Australia alone, with members in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

Range of RMBOA Members Along the River Murray in South Australia

Representation

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.

The RMBOA has constructive discussions with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in relation to issues such as greywater requirements for private vessels with overnight accommodation on the Murray River. The EPA has provided RMBOA members with a briefing on what they will be expected to do in 2011 to bring their vessels into line with the greywater regulations. The EPA has commented favourably on the RMBOA's greywater Standard Operating Procedure, developed to assist vessels remain as low greywater risk vessels.

The RMBOA represented the interests of its members by responding the potentially catastrophic Houseboat, Mooring and Marina Strategy for the River Murray in South Australia. The RMBOA's submission was supported by various organisations including 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 South Australia (WBASA).

As a result of the disquiet about the original Houseboat, Mooring and Marina Strategy has been split into a Marina Strategy (SA Planning) and a Best Practice Guide For Houseboat Use On The River Murray (Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation). The Association is currently in constructive talks with the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (DWLBC) in relation to this guide. These discussions include the RMBOA providing information relating to minimising the environmental impacts of boating on the river.

Although the RMBOA seeks to respect the interests of all responsible boat owners who use the Murray River, the interests of its members take precedence over the interests of all other river users. Only by being a member can you be assured of influencing the direction that the RMBOA takes on an issue.

Recreation

In addition to representing its members, the RMBOA arranges social functions on and off the river. The RMBOA's flagship event is the River Ramble which is held every two years. This voyage for members-only is designed to allow the experienced skipper and the novice skipper to get together for a pleasant social voyage. The Ramble provides facilities such as toilets and optional meals so that all classes of vessel can share the same voyage.

In addition to the River Ramble, the Association also conducts "Mini-Ambles" up to four of times a year. Unlike the River Amble, the Mini-Amble is a low key affair where members are expected to look after their own toilet facilities and meals. These are usually weekend events that allow members to gather and enjoy the river. Often the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held on the banks of the river as part of a Mini-Amble.

The RMBOA ensures that that its business meetings have a social component by having an optional informal dinner before the meeting. This allows members to socialise before attending to the business of the Association.

Information

The RMBOA keeps its membership informed via this website and a weekly email newsletter that covers the activities of the Association, news from along the river as well as commentary and boating related information.

As well as the weekly email, a more substantial newsletter is published either by post or email a few times a year. This website also contains news as well as a selection of tips and tricks to help the river boating fraternity. Additional information is available in the members-only area of the website (username and password supplied in the member-only Weekly River News email).

Upon joining members receive a copy of the River Murray Boat Owners Association  Handbook and The RMBOA Voyage Planning Guide.

The Handbook contains the following sections:

RMBOA Information Resources.	Meetings
RMBOA River Events	Environmental Issues
Campfires	Using the Sewage Holding Tank Pump-Out Records
Economical Cruising	Twelve (12) Volt Power
Personal Safety Equipment	Fire Fighting Appliances
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning	Smoke Detectors
Dinghy Safety	Using the Horn
South Australian River Ferries	South Australian Bridges
South Australian River Locks	Navigating River Bends
Reporting an Accident	Radio Communications for Boating on the Murray

The Voyage Planning Guide includes:

Introduction	Voyage Plan
Before You Leave Home.	Maintenance
Problem Areas (On The River)	Locks/Barrages (Opening Times & Contact Information)
South Australian Bridges (Clearance & Opening Times)	South Australian River Ferries (Operating Times)
Internet Access (Locations)	Fishing Licence (NSW)
Provisioning Your Voyage	Waste Disposal Stations (Locations)
Public Toilets	Emergency Services (Location & Contact Details)
Voyage Information	Bills to Pay Checklist
Before You Leave Home Check List	Maintenance Check List
Provisioning Checklist	Pre-Voyage Check List
Post-Voyage Check List

If you wish to apply for membership of the RMBOA and agree with the its objectives and code of practice, please click on and print out the Membership Form.*