Qld Water Police are joining in the summer maritime crackdown. Picture: Andrew Kacimaiwai
Queensland maritime authorities are cracking down on dangerous sailing on the seas and inland waterways.
Water Police, Maritime Safety and Seqwater are mounting joint campaigns to enforce the maritime Fatal Five factors from today (December 14, 2024) to February 2, 2025.
The five factors are: drinking and drugs, speeding, lifejacket and safety equipment compliance, keeping a proper lookout and distance, and trip planning.
“Water Police have zero tolerance for anyone operating a boat while under the influence of drugs or over the blood alcohol limit,” a Queensland Police spokesperson said.
“Anyone found to be risking the safety of themselves, their passengers or other vessels will be held to account.”
Brisbane Water Police patrols will be focusing on drink and drug driving. They say drink and drug taking is even more dangerous in a boat than a car.
The authorities will be targeting known speeding areas across the state and will crack down hard on those putting other waterway users in danger.
Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) statistics show that of 64 boat-related drownings in the last five years only five people wore life jackets at the time. MSQ patrols will be ensure safety compliance, they say.
“Put your lifejacket on and slow down. Keeping safe is that simple,” a MSQ spokesperson says.
Seqwater is warning boaties that recent heavy rains mean dams this summer could be vastly different to what they were weeks ago.
“With topped up dam levels, we’re expecting a busy summer, so please be vigilant of the waterway traffic and conditions, remembering to stick to the designated areas for swimming, boating and paddling so everyone can enjoy their day out,” a Seqwater spokesperson says.
Boaties are urged to keep a proper lookout for newly-submerged hazards, stay to safe speeds and be acutely aware of who else is on the water.
The authorities also urged proper trip planning as well as checking on the weather forecast, vessel seaworthiness and safety equipment.
There are more than one million recreational boat licence holders in Queensland, the authorities say.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink online at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously by calling 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au
