Boaters urged to reduce boat wash and operate responsibly on the water
by Transport Roads and Maritime Services on 24 Aug 2015
SW
Road and Maritime Services is reminding boaters of their responsibilities on the water after two separate incidents caused by vessel wash in the past month.
A Roads and Maritime spokesperson said the recent incidents act as timely reminder for boat operators to travel at a safe speed and be aware of the wash their vessels create to ensure they do not affect others using waterways or harm the natural environment.
“At around midday on Sunday 16 August at Port Hacking, near Lili Pilli, a 6.8 metre cabin runabout hit another vessel’s wash at significant force, causing the occupants to be thrown from the vessel,” A Roads and Maritime spokesperson said.
“A female passenger and child on board were injured in the incident, with the woman taken to hospital with a broken leg.
“Just a week earlier on Sunday nine August, a 3.5 metre open runabout capsized in Burraneer Bay at Port Hacking in similar circumstances. Fortunately all involved escaped injury.
“Boat operators should be always be aware of the wash from their vessels when moving through confined waterways to reduce the risk of endangering others enjoying the water.
“The size of a boat’s wash and the effects it has depend on how the boat is driven, its hull shape and load.
“It is absolutely crucial that boaters remember to regularly look behind their vessels to see the size of the wake and are mindful of the surrounding environment and other traffic on the waterways.
“Operators must make sure their vessel is not driven any faster than the speed at which it could be safely stopped.
“Skippers must take into account the environment in which they are operating including proximity of other vessels and the wideth and depth of the waterway.
“No Wash Zones apply on some waterways where a vessel’s wash could affect others or damage the foreshore or nearby properties.
“If your wash is causing other vessels to rock, you need to slow down.
“Even if there are no signs, it is still an offence to create waves which cause danger, inconvenience or damage.”
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