Safety blitz in NSW

The first statewide boating safety operation of 2015-16 resulted in 87 per cent compliance rate and 163 penalty notices generating a good whack of money for Government coffers.

Wearing lifejackets is still the number one safety issue for recreational boaters in NSW.

Roads and Maritime Services General Manager Boating Operations David Hunter said 'Operation Boatsafe: Be Prepared' concluded at the end of the October long weekend and aimed to educate boaters about the need to ensure their safety equipment and boats, which may not have been used for the winter months, are in good working order.

"The October long weekend marked the start of new boating season. With hot and clear conditions in almost all parts of the state, it has been a busy few days on the waterways," Mr Hunter said.

"During the boating safety operation Boating Safety Officers (BSO) carried out 2434 safety inspections of recreational vessels and personal watercraft resulting in 163 penalty notices and 161 formal warnings being issued to boat operators.

"This translates to a compliance rate of 87 per cent which overall is a good result.

"Lifejacket and safety equipment offences were most common and a number of personal watercraft breaches were also detected.

"On the first day of the operation, BSO stopped a 12ft aluminium vessel offshore from Evans Heads and found there was no safety equipment on board other than lifejackets.

"Boating in ocean waters in small craft can be risky, with a third of recreational boating fatalities in 2014-15 having occurred in open waters.

"That is why it is important to ensure the operator and boat are suitable for the conditions and the required safety equipment is on board.

"The vessel operator was handed a fine of $100 for not wearing an appropriate lifejacket on a small vessel in open waters and $250 for not carrying appropriate safety equipment," Mr Hunter said.

Given the large number of people who were on the water over the long weekend, enjoying the perfect weather conditions, it was positive to see the majority of boaters were well prepared and followed the rules.

Almost 500,000 people hold a NSW recreational boat driver licence. Roads and Maritime will continue to hold boating safety operations throughout the summer. For more information on boating safety see www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/.