Operation Icebreaker on Alpine Lakes this weekend

by Penny Robins on 12 Aug 2011 NSW Maritime will conduct a joint boating safety operation with local police in the Alpine Lakes this weekend.

Acting Deputy Chief Executive Maritime Services Steve Dunn said Operation Icebreaker would involve compliance checks with new lifejacket rules, random breath testing, safety equipment and fishing and boat licence checks.

'Five NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officers will be joined by local police from Tumut for the operation, patrolling the alpine waterways including Lakes Jindabyne, Eucumbene, Blowering, Talbingo and Burrinjuck, and Khancoban Pondage,' Mr Dunn said.

'A key focus of Operation Icebreaker will be compliance with new lifejacket rules that were introduced in November.'

Under these new rules, it is compulsory to wear lifejackets, including:

• By children under 12 at all times on alpine waters
• By everyone on boats less than 4.8m on alpine waters
• When wearing waders on alpine waters
• By everyone:
- in a sailing vessel on alpine waters
- sailboarding on alpine waters
- kiteboarding on alpine waters
- using a PWC on alpine waters
- boating in ‘heightened risk’ situations

'As well as the lifejacket rules, vessels will be subject to safety equipment and boating licence checks,' Mr Dunn said.

'Police on board with NSW Maritime will also be conducting fishing licence checks and random breath tests.'

Mr Dunn said hypothermia prevention would also be discussed with boaters.

For more information on lifejacket requirements click NSW Maritime website