Energex and Voluntary Marine Rescue (VMR) issued a joint statement in the lead-up for Australia Day, reminding boaties of overhead powerlines and submarine power cables crossing waterways.
Area Manager at Energex, Kevin Lavender said the joint statement was necessary after dozens of anchors had to be removed from just one electricity cable crossing between the mainland and Bribie Island last summer.
“In just one morning, commercial divers removed 27 anchors and hundreds of metres of rope from around just one short Moreton Bay cable,” Mr Lavender said.
“It was a stark reminder that boaties were still anchoring over the clearly-marked electricity infrastructure,” he said.
He said powerlines and cables crossing rivers and estuaries were charged with up to 132,000 volts of electricity, powered tens of thousands of homes and such high voltage could make any accidental contact deadly.
President of Brisbane VMR, Thomas Grice said boaties should check each bank for the yellow and black signs pointing out the dangers below before anchoring.
“These cables are clearly marked, usually with large signs, so before people drop an anchor they only have to look at each bank for the warnings,” Mr Grice said.
“Similarly, some waterways have overhead powerlines crossing so anyone in a sailboat or large motor vessel should remain vigilant,” he said.
“Keep a clear lookout above and never risk sailing under powerlines unless you’re absolutely certain you have at least three metres’ clearance at the highest astronomical tide,” Mr Grice said.
