• Please boat safely over Easter
• Marine Safety Officers focus on lifejacket wear and speeding
• River Safety Day
• What is the most common expiation?
• Be safe on busy boat ramps
• Webcams can help see the weather conditions
• Minimise wake and wash on the Murray River
• Is your boat seaworthy?
• Always check the weather

Please boat safely over Easter

With the Easter break heralding the start of the April school holidays our river and coastal waters will be crowded.

Please be aware that there are speed limits in place that all boaters need to know in various Harbors, areas of the Port River, metropolitan beaches, some country beaches and sections of the River Murray, and around other boats, ferries and jetties.

Of particular importance when waters are crowded is keeping to the four-knot speed limit within 50 metres of:

• people in the water
• divers with a diving flag showing
• a person in a small unpowered recreational vessel (i.e. - canoe, kayak, surf board, sailboard, surf-ski or paddleboard).

Make sure you know all the speed restrictions and limits in place before you go boating. 

It is also vital to check these other safety tips before heading out on the water:

• Keep your boat safe and ready to go with regular checks and servicing. Check it at home before launching at a boat ramp.
• Make sure everyone wears the correct lifejacket.
• The weather predicted over Easter is excellent but this can change quickly. Always check the weather before and during boating.
• Pack the right safety equipment and make sure it is in good condition
• Know the limits of your boat - don't overload and only travel in waters you know your boat can handle.
• Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back - you can log trips with volunteer marine rescue or use an app like  Deckee.
• Stick to a safe speed when you’re out on the water.

Back to top

Marine Safety Officers focus on lifejacket wear and speeding

^{Reminder to check your flare expiry date}

Marine Safety Officers (MSOs) will be spreading the safe boating message over the Easter and school holiday period with regular patrols across metropolitan and regional coastal waters, and along the Murray River.

Over Easter there will be a strong presence on the Murray River where MSOs will be checking people are wearing the right lifejackets. They will also be looking out for boats speeding and operating unsafely.

If you have any boating safety questions come up and ask them.

Back to top

River Safety Day

Back to top

Be safe on busy boat ramps

^{Have your boat ready to go before launching it}

As boat ramps are always super busy over the Easter and April school holidays, please be patient. Remember, boat ramps can be slippery so take extra care and  follow these simple steps to launch and retrieve your boat safely and quickly:

• Prepare your boat and trailer off the boat ramp in the rigging area - covers off, remove trailer straps, charge your battery at home and flick on the battery master switch when preparing, tilt the outboard engine up, bungs in, prime your motor and get deck lines ready.
• Don't jump the queue - boats coming in off the water have right of way over departing boats.
• Use one boat lane only
• Be quick - don't leave your boat tied to the ramp or pontoon longer than 10 minutes.
• Pack up off the ramp

Follow these steps and be patient waiting for others to launch and coming in off the water.

Remember there are slower speed limits in place around boat ramps. Keep to the four-knot speed limit on the water in these busy areas.

Back to top

Webcams can help see the weather conditions

^{North Haven boat ramp webcam view}

Our Department for Infrastructure and Transport Marine Services webcams provide views of boat ramps and waters at various coastal locations. It is a great way to see what the weather is looking like at the boat ramp before heading there with your boat this Easter and holiday period. Remember to always check BOM too.

The camera views are refreshed every two minutes so give you a real-time view.

Current cameras are positioned in gulf waters near the Port of Adelaide at Outer Harbor, North Haven, West Beach and O'Sullivan Beach and offshore waters to the south near Granite Island. We also share the camera at the Victor Harbor boat ramp provided by the Council.

View our webcams here.

Back to top

Minimise wake and wash on the Murray River

Heading to the Murray River this Easter? The video above reminds you to minimise your wake and wash and share the river safely with all users.

Think about other users including other boats, swimmers, and people using non-powered vessels such as kayaks and paddleboards. Be mindful of the impact your wake and wash has on all users.

Move away from busy areas and find your own stretch of the Murray River. Keep your distance from the shore and stay to the right side of the river.

The river is everyone's playground. Stay safe on the water. #MurrayRiverLife

Back to top

Is your boat seaworthy?

^{Unseaworthy boats can sink}

A recent sinking of a boat at a wharf pictured showed the importance of servicing and checking your boat regularly. Luckily, in this case, the owner was not on board and the boat was not out to sea when it sunk.

Boat owners and skippers must make sure their boat is seaworthy and passengers are kept safe. Some tips to help you check your boat is seaworthy are available here.

Using an unseaworthy boat is an offence and the owner or skipper may be prosecuted. Department for Infrastructure and Transport Marine Safety Officers or an authorised person may direct the responsible person to retrieve an unseaworthy boat and fix any deficiencies before using it again.

Back to top

Always check the weather

^{A sign of bad weather approaching - the build-up of cloud formation}

The weather forecast is currently great for Easter. Please remember conditions can change rapidly. Always check the latest weather report for the area you plan to boat in. If in doubt, don't go out.

When out on the water keep a watch for signs of approaching bad weather, including wind, swell and the build-up of cloud formations. Keeping an eye out will help you decide whether to head back home or find somewhere safe to shelter.

You can stay up to date by downloading the BOM weather app which is free and available from the Apple App Store or Google Play. It includes a range of marine features.

Back to top