Maritime Safety Queensland Summer boating blitz underway

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) marine officers have begun safety and compliance operations on popular South East Queensland waterways as part of a seasonal boating blitz.

Maritime Safety Queensland acting general manager Andrew Mahon said the Maritime Enforcement Team (MET) would patrol waterways from Tin Can Bay south to the Gold Coast through to January next year.

“With 17 deaths on our waters last year and a further 13 this year to date (16 Nov), there is no room for complacency,” Mr Mahon said.

“MET officers will do their utmost to reinforce safe boating over coming months intent on reducing the number of boating incidents, serious injuries and fatalities.

“They will combine firm action against those flagrantly breaching boating safety rules with education as Queensland boaties head out to enjoy the warmer weather.

“Just as we have a ‘fatal five’ for causes of crashes and deaths on our roads, so there are five readily identifiable causes for serious boating incidents.

“Mr Mahon said boating’s fatal five included failure to keep a proper lookout, failure to carry and use the appropriate safety equipment (particularly lifejackets), speeding, alcohol and drugs use, and poor trip planning.

“MET officers will be out on personal watercraft and at boat ramps, getting advice to as many boaties as possible about how to avoid becoming victim to these five potential killers,” he said.

“This is more important than ever especially with a significant rise in recreational boating sales during the COVID-19 hiatus.

“We have rigorous training for new licence applicants who must demonstrate boat-handling knowledge and skills to obtain their licences, but boaties know there is no substitute for experience.”

The MET will operate on the following waters, on or about the following dates: