News & Media

Easter is always busy on the water and this extra-long Easter and Anzac Day weekend could be even busier than ever and the more boats there are on the water, the more risk there is for something to go wrong. So Marine Rescue NSW has prepared a Top 10 Check List for Easter Boating Safety.

 1. Tell your local Marine Rescue radio base when you go out and when you’ll be back. Log On with your marine radio so Marine Rescue knows you’re out there and when you’re due back;

 2. Wear your lifejackets. Lifejackets save lives – but only when you wear them. NSW regulations require you to wear lifejackets at certain times. Marine Rescue NSW recommends you wear them at all times when boating;

 3. Travel at a safe speed and keep a good look out. A safe speed is one where you can stop fast in an emergency. A good look out means the skipper is always aware of conditions around the boat;

 4. Check your mechanicals and electricals before you go. More breakdowns are caused by mechanical and electric faults than any other cause. And when you break down at sea you can’t just pull over safely to the side of the road. See www.50pointcheck.com.au for the Boating Industry Association safety check;

 5. Check your safety equipment before you go. Lifejackets; marine radio; anchor and chain or line (attached to the boat!); emergency flares; EPIRB if going out 2 nautical miles or more; bailing bucket; fire bucket; fire extinguisher; navigation lights, orange V-sheet; waterproof torch. These are all mandatory and smart skippers will also have First Aid and Tool Kits on board;

 6. Make sure your fuel is fresh. Old fuel causes serious problems that can leave you stranded at sea.  This is a common problem with fuel tanks for outboards. The Boat Owners Association says bio fuels are also causing some concern. See article on www.boaters.org.au;

 7. Call your local Marine Rescue radio base for a radio check. The Marine Rescue operator will tell you if your radio signal is strong and clear – or if it’s not, so you can fix it before you need it;

 8. Check the weather forecast before you go. Go to www.bom.gov.au first. Then listen for weather updates on your marine radio or call your local Marine Rescue base for the latest information;

 9. Know your position. If you break down out there or any other emergency strikes, we need to know where you are to come and help. If you don’t know where you are, it’s harder for help to reach you.

 10. Take extreme care crossing bars. If you’ve never crossed the bar you want to cross, do not attempt it without getting local advice. Then prepare and plan your crossing. If in doubt, don’t go out.

Enjoy safer boating with Marine Rescue NSW. Contact your local Marine Rescue unit. For a full list of all volunteer marine rescue units in NSW, go to www.marinerescuensw.com.au

 Media Contact: Ken McManus – Media & Marketing Officer – 0411 870 777