Boat-related drownings singled out in safety audit

Overall, the nation posted a 20 per cent spike in drowning deaths over the last 12 months, with the society pointing the finger at people visiting unfamiliar locations, exhaustion and interruptions to regular swimming during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of the 290 drowning deaths for the surveyed period, 15 per cent – around 43 – were linked to boating activities. Similar research from Surf Life Saving Australia and NSW University released earlier this year showed the number of coastal drownings attributed to boats and jet skis in 2019-20 jumped 87.5 per cent compared with the 15-year rolling average – the highest number since formal records started in 2004.

That number? Just 34, indicating that boating deaths are continuing to rise as the pandemic attracts more people to jump on boats and take to the water.

According to the Royal Live Saving Society Australia study, drownings have spiked immediately after pandemic-related lockdowns were introduced, with four out of every five incidents related to males.

“With more Australians holidaying at home and visits to coastal areas and inland waterways increasing, water safety experts are pleading for people to not be complacent when on, in and around water,” the study says.

Surf Life Saving Australia chief executive Adam Weir said the last 18 months had been tough on all Australians and while enjoying Australia’s coastline was a favourite pastime, it was no time to be complacent.

“With more Australians holidaying at home and making the most of our iconic coastline, our simple message is to swim at patrolled locations and be aware of your actions and decisions around the water, know your limits,” Weir said. 

“We want to ensure everyone can enjoy our coastline safely and return home to loved ones.

“With 136 coastal drowning deaths in the past 12 months, sitting above the 10-year average, we are deeply concerned to once again see that men accounted for 90 per cent of those drowning deaths.”

The report recommends always wearing a lifejacket when boating, using watercraft, or rock fishing.

The Royal Live Saving Society Australia said about 14.4 million adults visited the Australian coastline over the survey period, on average about 3.3 times a month.

Around 2.8 million of those went boating, with 700,000 regarded as "frequent boaters" spending an average of 110 hours on the water. However, only 27 per cent of those heading out on the water went out specifically to go fishing.

Around 200,000 frequently went riding jet skis, again spending an average of about 100 hours on the water, the study shows. According to the survey, half of those going out on a jet ski do not have a licence, and three out of every five jet ski users consider themselves a beginner in terms of skill levels.

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