Oct 04, 2024

Get on board for safest boating season yet

NSW maritime operators and first responders are calling on the public to put safety first this boating season, which begins this Labour Day long weekend. 

NSW Maritime, Marine Rescue NSW, NSW Police Marine Area Command, and Surf Life Saving NSW are all poised and ready for the challenging task of keeping our waterways safe. 

With a hot summer predicted, the state’s water rescue agencies are on high alert for a busy boating season ahead.

The start of the boating season aligns with National Safe Boating Week, a week long initiative with a focus on lifejacket wear, care and servicing. All boaters are encouraged to wear a lifejacket at all times, make sure everybody on board is wearing one, and remember it can only save your life if you’re wearing it.

Last financial year there were 15 boating-related fatalities on New South Wales waterways, with 12 of those found to either not be wearing a lifejacket or wearing it incorrectly. 

Thirty per cent of the 4,548 search and rescue missions completed by Marine Rescue NSW volunteers last financial year were in response to emergency situations. 

There were 61 coastal drownings along the state’s coastline last financial year, with life savers undertaking 4,489 surf rescues. 

NSW Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings said New South Wales has some of the world's best, and busiest, waterways, and to help everyone enjoy them safely, called on skippers to get on board and put safety first this season.

“Lots of boats will have been sitting idle over winter, so it’s crucial to give them a proper once over and check safety gear before setting out on the water," he said.

“Last boating season our officers carried out around 35,000 vessel safety checks and lifejacket non-compliance was the number one offence, accounting for 30 per cent. Our pre-season blitz again saw far too many boaters without a suitable lifejacket.

“Sadly, there have been six boating related fatalities this financial year, and five of those involved people not wearing a lifejacket. 

“A lifejacket can only save you if you’re wearing it. Service it, take it, wear it - it’s a simple and effective way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.”

Leading into the season launch NSW Maritime kicked off the school holidays with Operation Get On Board, a two-day statewide safety and education blitz to help boaters prepare for the months ahead on the water. 

Boating Safety Officers and Boating Education Officers were out in force across the state, conducting over 1,000 safety interactions, with 47 penalty notices handed out.

The main offence was for incorrect lifejacket use, accounting for 32 per cent. 

All boaters are encouraged to Log On with Marine Rescue NSW before spending a day on the water. 

Logging On provides peace of mind for boaters and their families, knowing that dedicated volunteers will keep watch for their safe return. It is quick and easy to Log On via the free Marine Rescue NSW app or VHF Channel 16. It only takes a minute to protect a lifetime.

For more on boating safety visit Maritime's lifejackets and safety equipment page.

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