Marine Safety Officers put spotlight on boating safety

Thursday, 18 April 2019

Holiday-makers are being reminded to stay safe and take their boating safety responsibilities seriously over the  Easter and Anzac Day holiday periods.

The Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure has called on those heading out on the water to be boat smart and boat safe. This includes wearing lifejackets, checking flare expiry dates, letting someone know before heading out on the water and checking weather reports.

The plea to boaters follows a disappointing result from the last safety compliance operation by DPTI Marine Safety Officers on Yorke Peninsula over the March long weekend.

Of the 200 boats inspected at ramps and on the water all around Yorkes over the long weekend, 97 expiation notices were issued for offences such as a lack of safety equipment, operating without a boat licence, expired registration and failure to comply with lifejacket wearing laws.

A further 54 written cautions were issued for minor infringements, and 14 boats were stopped from launching.

DPTI Manager for Maritime Safety Gordon Panton said boaters need to remember items such as flares, which expire three years after manufacture.

“Most boaters don’t mean to break the rules, but the rules are there for the safety of boaters and others on board,” Mr Panton said.

Compliance patrols will visit the area again over the Easter break, hoping for a much improved result to ensure the safety of all on the water.

Speed limit change

Additionally, from Monday, 29 April, the 7 knot speed limit area will be extended to the Barker Inlet and North Arm of the Port Adelaide River to improve safety for all users and marine life.

For details about the speed limit change, visit www.ondeck.sa.gov.au

For information about safety equipment requirements and boating rules, visit www.sa.gov.au/boatingmarine