A school holidays clampdown on boaties has revealed that about a third of them were breaking marine safety rules.
Maritime Safety Queensland’s crackdown, between September 14 and 29, showed that 144 of 471 (30.5 per cent) boaties stopped in Queensland waters were in the wrong.
The figure was only slightly better on the Sunshine Coast, where 26 of 94 (28 per cent) were caught out.
Common offences – identified by MSQ’s compliance officers and the Queensland Police Service Water Police – included speeding, incorrect carrying or wearing of lifejackets, unlicensed drivers and unregistered vessels.
About 65 per cent of people intercepted on Gold Coast waters were found to be non-compliant.
MSQ issued a press release urging boaties to be vigilant. The group said 59 of 64 people who drowned in Queensland waters during the past five years did not wear lifejackets.
“While most boaties were doing the right thing while out on the water this school holidays, MSQ is disappointed in the overall results,” Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Kell Dillon said.
“One third of the people intercepted on the water were doing the wrong thing when it comes to safety, putting both themselves and others at risk.
“Lifejackets are simply the seatbelts of the sea, so people going out boating with either missing or incorrect lifejackets, in some cases with young children onboard are taking risks that could easily be fatal.
“I say to boaties, please slow down, wear your lifejacket and make sure everyone with you does too.
“Just like a seatbelt, a lifejacket that’s not being worn can’t save you, or your loved ones.”
“MSQ would also like to thank the majority of boaties who are doing the right thing and staying safe when they go out on the water.”
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