The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) celebrated National Safe Boating Week last week (2-8 October) by calling on recreational boaties to brush up on their safety skills and knowledge before heading out on the water.
In a statement the Department said the Week’s focus on waterway safety was timely as the recent burst of warm spring weather had turned people’s minds to boating.
DIT said that whether boaties were sailing, fishing, cruising the Murray or water-skiing, it was important to have the skills, requisite training and licences, mandated safety equipment and a safety-first attitude.
The Department said National Safe Boating Week, a collaboration between the Australia New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group and maritime Agencies across Australia, featured three themes: Service it; pack it; and wear it.
DIT said boat owners must be responsible and make sure their boat was seaworthy.
“Is your boat maintained well enough to take your loved ones on a trip? If the answer is no, don’t go out,” it said.
The Department said boaties should also be prepared before heading out on the water.
“Having the required safety equipment can help you survive when the unexpected happens,” it said.
DIT said that when accidents happened, there was rarely time to put on a lifejacket and wearing the correct lifejacket could save lives.
It said safe boating also meant sticking to signed speed limits and exercising respectful marina behaviour.
It said various harbours and marinas were subject to speed limits and penalties applied if boaties failed to observe the controls or speed restrictions provided.
Further information on boating safety can be accessed on the Marine Safety SA website at this PS News link.
