Life jacket concern in incident report
A Maritime Safety Queensland report on Queensland boating incidents has found a 30 percent decrease in fatalities last year compared to 2009.
The Maritime Safety Queensland annual Marine Incident Report, tabled in Queensland parliament today, found the loss of 14 lives in 2010 was a significant reduction compared to 20 deaths in 2009.
Only two out of 14 people who died on the water last year were wearing life jackets.
This is a tragic reminder that life jackets are not only required equipment in commercial, fishing and recreational boats but are compulsory to wear in some situations.
Even where it is not compulsory to wear a life jacket boaties should wear one as a common sense precaution, especially when boating alone or at night.
The report also found alcohol was involved in four of the fatal marine incidents.
Boaties should remain vigilant and ensure they carried all required safety equipment including emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs), life jackets and flares – and ensure it is all up-to-date.
Always check the weather before heading out and tell the local VMR where you are going, as well as when and where you’re due back. Skippers should keep a proper lookout and remember that the same under .05 rule for drink driving applies on the water as on the road.
Every time someone applies for a boat licence they are made aware they must provide life jackets and other personal safety equipment for each passenger in their boat by law.
Under Transport Operations (Marine Safety) legislation, boat owners and operators have a general safety obligation to make sure their boat is safe, properly equipped and crewed and operated safely.
Each year MSQ carries out regular safety compliance activity with the Water Police, particularly in the lead up to holidays, which see large numbers of people on the water.
As part of MSQ’s regional safety education programs, our officers also undertake boat ramp days and ongoing education which involve checking vessels and advising boaties what they are required to have – including the provision of safety equipment such as life jackets.
The report looked at 779 marine incidents reported in state waters during 2010 – 320 marine incidents per 100 000 vessels.
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