Northern Territory Police would like to remind those who are out on the water to take care and ensure their vessels have the proper safety gear on-board.
Over the May Day long weekend, Water Police responded to multiple incidents involving recreational boats.
At about 8:30pm on Saturday 2 May 2020, a 9 metre vessel was travelling at speed when it collided with a 5.3 metre vessel which was trolling, and as a result tore a large hole in the smaller boat.
Occupants of the first vessel rendered assistance by towing the second vessel to Shady Camp. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.
At about 4:00pm on Sunday 3 May 2020, police received reports that a 4 metre vessel had drifted over a mud flat between Sadgroves Creek and Reichardt Creek in Darwin Harbour at low tide. Choppy conditions caused by the incoming tide swamped the boat and fearing it would sink occupants called police.
They began to bail water out of the vessel enabling them to make their way towards shore. The vessel was drained and escorted to Dinah Beach boat ramp.
At about 6:45pm, police received a call advising a vessel had broken down north of Dundee with two adults and three youths on board. The vessel did not have an anchor and was adrift.
Water Police assisted to recover the vessel which they towed to Bynoe Harbour.
Police would like to thank the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, Darwin Harbour Control and the NT Emergency Services, as well as other recreational vessels who assisted in the recoveries.
