More video cameras to roll out at Perth’s 'bad boatie' hotspots

The $1.5 million trial, based at the water ski area at the Belmont boat ramp on the Swan River, resulted in 64 infringements and 267 cautions issued in the six months to June 2018. In the same period in 2017, only four infringements and 16 cautions were issued, the West Australian government said.

Extra cameras had now been installed at the South Perth personal watercraft (PWC) freestyle area, Deepwater Point and Point Walter, it said.

“The trial also reduced risky boating behaviour with evidence of self-regulation, safer waterway use and a decline in non-compliance at Belmont,” the government said. “There were very few instances of repeat offending after infringements were issued.”

The WA Government said it installed the trial cameras after “a concerning amount of injuries and fatalities on Western Australian waters, with 25 lives lost due to recreational boating accidents in the past four years”.

It said the potential for a mobile CCTV unit was “under consideration” for use at other boating hotspots, and for monitoring large on-water events such as Australia Day.

"Just like drivers on the road, skippers have a responsibility to obey the rules of the waterways - for their own protection, and the safety of other water users,” WA Transport Minister Rita Saffiotti said. “Unfortunately it can sometimes be difficult to police these areas.

"Coupled with DoT's existing marine safety compliance patrols in the metropolitan area, the trial at Belmont has shown CCTV to be a valuable tool to ensure skippers follow the rules."