Water Safety Lapses Heighten Serious Marine Incident Risk

With the weather warming up and school holidays around the corner, more people are going out on the water.

To ensure everyone has a safe and fun time on the water, Water Police and Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) are reminding boaties of water safety tips to ensure you remember your marine adventures for the right reason.

Brisbane Water Police are finding increasing numbers of boats are not displaying the correct navigation lights and have non-compliant life jackets.

These factors increase the likelihood and severity of a marine incident if an accident occurred while on the water.

With only a few exceptions, most recreational powerboats or personal watercraft on the water between sunset and sunrise must display an all-round white light whether they are underway or at anchor.

Water Police have found there is a common misconception that boats only have to switch on their 'anchor light' while at anchor, but in fact the all-round white light must be on at all times while they are on the water at night. It is only the red and green side lights that get switched off while at anchor.

The lack of understanding about navigation lights is putting many boats, particularly smaller vessels, at risk of a vessel collision.

Regardless of the length of the journey and the operating area, navigational lights are required.

In addition to the risks of collision, there are also penalties for failing to have the correct navigation lights displayed between sunset and sunrise. Water Police do patrol waterways at night and vessel operators found in breach of the rules relating to use of navigation lights can incur a $322 on the spot fine.

Water Police have also noticed the compliance of life jackets has been reducing. Common factors are life jackets not being stored correctly on the boat or not being clearly labelled.

On February 22, a boat capsized off Moreton Island near Flinders Reef. Thankfully the boat had correctly stored and serviced life jackets which helped the three boaties stay afloat while Water Police and emergency services responded.

Had the life jackets not been accessible or correctly serviced, the outcome may have been very different.

Life jackets must comply and display information about which Australian Standard (AS) they were manufactured to – the current standard is AS 4758.

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Brisbane Water Police Senior Sergeant, Andrew Howie, says it's important to not become complacent when heading out on the water without the correct safety equipment.

"Water Police want everyone to enjoy their adventures out on the water this season and get home safely. A key component for this outcome is having the safety equipment onboard and a plan in place of what you should do if something goes wrong."

"It's important that people take this seriously now. We don't want to have to wait for a serious marine incident for people to realise they are putting themselves at a significant risk if they don't have the correct safety equipment."

"Water Police will continue to do patrols of the water and safety compliance checks to ensure navigation lights, life jackets and the required safety equipment are on boats. It is our priority that everyone gets home safely."

MSQ General Manager, Kell Dillon, says MSQ's Maritime Enforcement Team would be out on the water ensuring boaties are conducting their on-water activities safely for themselves and other waterways users.

"Speeding is as dangerous on the water as it is on the roads," he says.

"Speeding is even more dangerous when waterways are congested, such as at school holiday times, because it reduces a skipper's decision-making time to avoid accidents."

"Life jackets are simply the seatbelts of the sea."

"So, I say to boaties, please slow down, wear your life jacket and make sure everyone with you does too. Just like a seatbelt a life jacket that's not being worn can't save you, or your loved ones."

A few questions to ask yourself before you go out on the water are:

• Have you let someone know where you are heading, how long you are going for and what time you expect to return?
• Have you checked the weather forecast and likelihood of storms? Is there is a forecast storm, is it safe for you to be on the water?
• What is your rescue plan should you get into difficulty on the water? Do you know who to call and what information they will need to ensure a timely response?
• Do you have the correct safety gear onboard? Ensure you have enough life jackets for everyone on-board and that your flares are in date.
• Do you have enough fuel for your return journey?
• Do you have a marine radio and know how to use it correctly? Don't rely on a mobile phone to get help as they often don't have the range to be reliable at sea.

To find out about your compulsory safety obligations and required safety equipment visit Maritime Safety Queensland website.