Why Join The RMBOA?

The River Murray Boat Owners Association (RMBOA) of South Australia provides four main areas of support for tis members: Coverage, Representation, Recreation and Information for less than 60 cents per week (less than 30 cents per week per person for a family membership).

RMBOA members cover the entire length of the Murray River in South Australia. Its members are not confined to South Australia, with members in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. 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

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 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, eveloped 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 Water about reducing the environmental impact of boating on the river.

The RMBOA runs cruising events such as the River Ramble and Mini-Ambles. It also holds an annual XMAS party, traditionally at the Mary Ann Reserve at Mannum.

Mini-Ambles

Unlike the Ramble, a Mini-Amble is an informal affair open to members and prospective members. The RMBOA does not provide facilities, nor does it arrange entertainment. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is usually held in conjunction with a Mini-Amble, as is the annual XMAS party.

The RMBOA keeps its membership informed via this website, a weekly email newsletter and a quarterly magazine, The Rambler.

As well as providing general information to the public, this website provides additional information via the members-only area. The most popular part of the website is the river levels page which summaries the state of the river for boating activities.

The weekly email newsletter provides a summary of new from around the river in South  Australia, information about the Association as well as a commentary on recent events.

The Rambler magazine is published quarterly and provides more in depth coverage of issues affecting members of the Association. The Rambler can be delivered electronically as a pdf file, or a hard copy can be sent out by post.

When a member joins the Association, they are provided with a membership pack which contains RMBOA publications such as the River Murray Boat Owners Association Handbook, the RMBOA Voyage Planning Guide and the RMBOA Greywater Standard Operating Procedures.