Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01107:body:0:p36
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L01107
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 94507–97302

also conducting a relative‑work descent)—5000 ft above ground level; or
 (c) for any other kind of parachute descent—3000 ft above ground level.

5.36  Parachutes descents near or over bodies of water

Application
 (1) This section applies if:
 (a) a parachute descent is undertaken over or near a body of water; and
 (b) there is a reasonable possibility that a person undertaking the descent will land in the body of water.

ASAO's safe conduct procedures
 (2) The ASAO's safe conduct procedures for undertaking a parachute descent over or near a body of water, mentioned in paragraph 5.25(1)(b), must require the drop zone safety officer who is supervising the descent to identify and assess the following risks in relation to the parachute descent:
 (a) the potential for exposure of a parachutist to injury or death arising from the operation of an aircraft to facilitate a parachute descent over or near a body of water, including the chances of survival in the water of the parachutist;
 (b) the surface condition of the area of the body of water, including the wave height, wind conditions and swell;
 (c) the water temperature and air temperature;
 (d) the distance a parachutist would be, at any time during the descent while over water, from land that is suitable for a landing by the parachutist;
 (e) the availability of search and rescue facilities, and the time it would likely take for a successful search and rescue operation to be completed.

Drop zone safety officer's responsibilities—flotation devices
 (3) After assessing the risks of undertaking a parachute descent over or near a body of water, in accordance with the ASAO's safe conduct procedures, the drop zone safety officer must:
 (a) decide whether a flotation device must be worn by a person undertaking the parachute descent; and
 (b) if the drop zone safety officer assesses that a flotation device must be worn—decide which standards mentioned in subsection (6) would ensure a flotation device provides the level of support that is commensurate to the risk identified by the drop zone safety officer in the assessment.
Note: Some standards mentioned in subsection (6), for example, in paragraph (6)(a), are only suitable for certain locales or water characteristics and conditions. State and Territory maritime safety agencies publish information on the levels of flotation devices suitable for use in sheltered, inshore and offshore waters under their jurisdiction.
 (4) Subsection (5) applies if the drop zone safety officer makes a decision under subsection (3) that a person undertaking a parachute descent over or near a body of water must wear a flotation device that meets particular standards.
 (5) The person must not undertake the parachute descent if the person is not wearing a flotation device that