Residents and tourists are being urged to think safety when heading out on the water in the wake of a recent spike of unfortunate and dangerous maritime incidents across the State.
Minister for Transport and Roads, Andrew Constance said authorities were particularly concerned as the weekend warmed up and dangerous surf conditions threatened.
“Since the start of the COVID pandemic we’ve seen an increase in boating licences and people heading out to enjoy time on the water,” Mr Constance said.
“But what is really concerning is there has also been an increase in the number of incidents, with a disturbing spike in the second half of 2020,” he said.
“I am urgently reminding everyone to take the necessary safety measures to ensure a fun day out doesn’t end in tragedy.”
Mr Constance said that in the past six months, nine lives had been lost on NSW waterways, including two this year.
He urged all skippers, new and experienced, to review their own knowledge of the basics before they launched from the boat ramp or pushed off from their mooring or marina.
“I can’t stress enough how crucial it is for boaters to know and follow the rules which exist to keep us all safe,” he said.
Mr Constance said records showed there were several hundred additional NSW boat licence holders compared to last year and a further 1,500 boats registered.
