Water safety blitz this long weekend

Thursday 2 April 2026

Marine Safety Officers, alongside SA Police, will be out in force at boat ramps and across the state’s busy waterways, cracking down on non-compliance so that everyone stays safe.

Patrols will zero in on lifejacket compliance, speeding, and safety equipment, as well as jet ski behaviour – particularly around swimmers on the River Murray.

Extra vessels and officers will be hitting coastal and inland waters stretching from the River Murray, Yorke Peninsula and metropolitan coastline.

Since October 2025, more than 1500 vessels have been checked by Marine Safety Officers.

While it is encouraging to see the majority are doing the right thing, around 35 per cent of those vessels were found to be non-compliant, with incorrect safety equipment and lifejacket misuse among the most common issues.

With more than 5000 kilometres of coastline and 700 kilometres of the River Murray, the Department is urging everyone to keep safety front of mind, as boating conditions can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Between July 2020 and March 2026, tragically, 24 people drowned while boating in powered and unpowered vessels on South Australian waters. Sadly, the majority were not wearing lifejackets.

The State Government is continuing to work hard to improve safety and achieve South Australia’s Recreational Boating Safety Strategy’s vision of zero fatalities and zero harm to others across our inland and coastal waters.

Several key initiatives have already been implemented following a landmark review into recreational boating. This includes simplified signage at North Haven and West Beach boat ramps, new web cameras along the coast and Riverland, and the introduction of Stay Afloat Clinics, which is a one stop shop for boaties to understand and undertake lifejacket maintenance.

Quotes attributable to Manager, Marine Safety and Compliance Gordon Panton

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable long weekend across our waters, but that starts with being prepared.

Before you head out, make sure your vessel has all the right safety gear on board, and that it is in good working order, readily accessible, and protected from the elements.

Remember, a lifejacket is the most important piece of safety equipment when boating, but it only works if you are actually wearing it.

Our Marine Safety Officers will be out in force to ensure everyone is doing the right thing and staying safe.

Quotes attributable to SA Police Water Operations Unit, Senior Sergeant Andrew Suter

Boaties heading out this long weekend can expect to see a strong police presence across our waterways, with Water Operations conducting patrols and targeting unsafe behaviour.

Boating continues to be the activity most linked to drowning deaths in South Australia, and every one of these losses is felt deeply in our community. It’s a clear reminder that conditions can change quickly and complacency is dangerous, so we need people to respect the water and prepare properly.

We continue to see preventable risks, particularly around lifejacket use and speeding, and failing to comply can result in significant fines.

Our focus is on safety, but enforcement action will be taken where necessary to ensure everyone can enjoy the water safely this Easter period.