Jet-ski riders are not allowed to circle, weave or ride erratically near moored vessels and dwellings under the new SA water safety plan. Photo: stock
Lower off-shore speed limits and exclusion zones are to feature in the South Australian Government’s new five-year boating safety strategy.
The new SA strategy outlines 25 steps to take as it cracks down on dangerous jet ski behaviour, new boat licence reforms, simpler life jacket and safety equipment requirements, lower speed limits, more education and greater use of technology such as mobile apps for boaties.
The government says three lives are lost on average in South Australian waters each year from boating-related drownings and believes its new plan will achieve zero fatalities and harm by 2030.
SA Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis says “heading out onto the water should be a positive and fun experience for everyone” but the waterways are also unpredictable and dangerous.
“With this landmark strategy, we hope to prevent future trauma by supporting and enforcing safer behaviours on the water, regardless of whether you are heading to the river, enjoying beachside waters or are offshore boating along the coast,” he explains.
SA Manager Marine Safety and Compliance Gordon Panton says the strategy is the result of feedback from more than 2800 people who identified concerns and safety solutions during public consultation.
“We will continue to work with the community as actions are implemented over the next five years to foster a water safety-first culture among recreational boaties,” he says.
“Prioritising your safety also protects those around you, creating a safer future for everyone on our spectacular waterways.”
In the past 20 years through to June 2024, 65 people drowned while boating in South Australia. A further five people lost their lives in collisions and other incidents on the water over the last 10 years.
The government says that in the last four years, more than a third of 18,110 vessels checked by Marine Safety Officers had incorrect safety equipment with life jacket misuse among the most common issues.
MEASURES
- speed limits will be lowered closer to shore in coastal waters, in areas popular with swimmers and vessels and where there are bridges and locks;
- swim-only and non-powered vessel zones to be created with jet ski riders not allowed to circle, weave or ride erratically near moored vessels and dwellings;
- boating safety education to expand in schools, at boat ramps and via marine gear retailers;
- more webcams across the state giving a 24/7 live feed of weather, boating conditions and boat ramp traffic;
- a new one-kilometre shoreline restriction for special permit holders aged 12 to 15 years-old;
- boat licensing to feature an online education component to complete alongside the current theory test;
- boaties in semi-protected areas can chose to carry electronic visual distress signals instead of flares if they have extra safety equipment onboard; and
- Motor vessels in more than 3.7 kilometres from shore (gulf waters) will need to carry an EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacon).
