Results for NSW's Operation Boat Safe

NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officers carried our more than 1300 on-water safety checks state-wide over the long weekend as part of operation Boat Safe, Ports and Maritime Minister, Joe Tripodi said.

The Minister said that while the number of inspections was down due to poor weather conditions, more than 100 penalties and formal warnings were handed out.

The Hunter/Inland Region carried out the most number of safety checks with almost 300 vessels inspected closely followed by the South Coast, the Sydney Region and the North Coast. The Murray Inland and Hawkesbury/Broken Bay Regions had less boating activity and each averaged about 120 vessel checks over the weekend.

“In all, Operation Boat Safe resulted in 42 penalty notices and 61 formal warnings across the State,” Tripodi said.

“The most common offence was failure to comply with lifejacket requirements. In some cases lifejackets were either not carried at all or were not fit for use,” he said.

Tripodi said it is a requirement in NSW for all boats to carry a lifejacket for every person on board. Jackets must be ready for use and be in good condition and of appropriate size.

“While it is only compulsory to wear a lifejacket while crossing coastal bars or when riding a personal watercraft, NSW Maritime recommends wearing lifejackets at times of heightened risk,” said Tripodi.

“Heightened risk can include when boating alone, at night or when conditions get rough. NSW Maritime also recommends that children and poor swimmers wear an appropriate lifejacket at all times while in open areas of a boat,” he said.