Boating fatalities halved in NSW

The recently released statistics from the NSW boating season 2015-16 show boating fatalities halved on state waterways since the previous season. This is the headline every state boating minister wants to see under their reign. Good news, indeed. Bravo!

"We also saw serious injuries significantly down, which is an encouraging result, but there is still more work to be done because every death and injury on the water is one too many," Minister for Maritime Duncan Gay said, predictably, in a rare break from his busy portfolio taken up more by Roads than Maritime duties these days.

There is also a decrease in serious boating incidents despite a small increase in rec boating participation, according to the boat registration figures.

"With more people getting into boating, the safety education effort is a continuing one," Gay says, "which is why Roads and Maritime Services Boating Safety Officers continue to have a presence carrying out patrols in these cooler months when conditions are less popular for boating."

In the 2015/16 boating season, poor weather conditions were said to contribute to more than 30 per cent of fatalities, while 50 per cent involved falling overboard or capsizing. Naturally, the winter months are the highest risk for small boats.

"We know that wearing a lifejacket significantly increases your safety on the water," Mr Gay proclaimed with vigour and conviction.

"Of the six fatalities, three were not wearing a lifejacket. Boaties should not become complacent – wear a lifejacket, don’t risk your life."

During the latest boating season, collisions made up more than 40 per cent of all boating incidents and more than 30 per cent of serious injuries.

"We all need to share our beautiful waterways and respect can play a huge role in avoiding collisions," Gay added, throwing in another motherhood statement for good measure.

The Minster claims a dedicated boost to frontline resources has been made in the bid to keep people safe on NSW waters and that this has contributed to these encouraging reductions in fatalities and injuries.

After a review of safety targets, more than $1.5 million in funding was allocated to provide more frontline staff across NSW, as well as specialised equipment and training, he says.

From the 2015 October long weekend to Easter Monday sundown this year, there were six fatalities on NSW waterways compared with 12 the previous year. During the same period, 40 people were injured compared with 64 in 2014/15.

Here at boatsales.com.au and BoatPoint.com.au, Australia's biggest boating websites and media platforms, we do all we can to convey the messages to help keep our boating-mad audience informed and safe on the waterways.

But your Marine Editor, David Lockwood, says that that Roads and Maritime is a mere shadow of its former self in respect to the dissemination of press information, media releases and messages pertaining to boating rather than the amalgamated roads' portfolio under Minister Gay's reign.

The Old for New Lifejacket roll-out has been a good initiative in NSW, but greater communication is needed. Some of the ads being produced for boating safety in NSW are just woeful. Meantime, you can read up on boating safety and the rules here.