Boaters urged to be safe on the water this holiday season

by Brendan Trembath on 13 Dec 2016 Marine Rescue NSW has urged boaters to put safety first this holiday season. Commissioner Stacey Tannos said MRNSW volunteers would be on duty along the coast, and inland on the Alpine Lakes and Murray River at Moama throughout the summer. “Our dedicated volunteers will be keeping watch and ready to respond to emergencies on the water,” he said.

Commissioner Tannos said today’s Royal Lifesaving Society report, Boating and Watercraft: A 10 Year Analysis of Drowning Deaths in Australia, highlighted the need for boaters to take simple precautions to help ensure they were safe on the water. “It’s alarming that 473 people drowned in incidents involving boats or other watercraft over the past decade, including 149 in NSW,” he said. “Tragically, 92 per cent of the victims were not wearing a lifejacket. It’s the quickest, easiest step you can take to help save your life in an emergency - but it can’t save you if you don’t have it on.”

Commissioner Tannos said boaters could take simple precautions to help ensure they returned home safely:

1. Ensure everyone on board is wearing a lifejacket.

Life jackets save lives. Put one on as soon as you step on board. There are styles to suit all sorts of activities on the water, and special ones for small children and pets.

2. Log On and Log Off with Marine Rescue NSW.

Let us know where you are going and when you are due back. If you’re not back as expected, our crews will start to search for you. You can contact the volunteers at MRNSW by marine radio or phone or via our popular MarineRescue app for smartphones and mobile devices. It’s free and user friendly.

3. Check your vessel is in good working order.

Check your motor and marine radio are in good operating order, make sure the battery is fully charged, you have enough fuel and the required safety equipment on board.

Marine Rescue NSW is the state’s official volunteer search and rescue service. If you need help on the water, contact MRNSW by phone or marine radio. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero or make a Mayday call on your marine radio.

For more details visit website.