Staying safe in Victoria’s waters

SUMMER is just around the corner and as the weather starts to warm up Victoria Police is warning people to stay safe around the water.

While enjoying all that Victorian waterways have to offer, residents and visitors are reminded they are a shared space and to be aware of others and look out for each other.

The water police squad will be out in force, ensuring their presence is highly visible and targeting water users who are putting others at risks.

Regular patrols at popular waters will be conducted and a boat ramp blitz will also take place, conducting breath rests, licence checks and vessel inspections.

Those who blatantly disregard the safety of others in the water can expect a swift response from police as they work to ensure a fun day out doesn’t end in tragedy.

For people on the water in jet skis, they are reminded they are not toys, they are large, heavy, fast-moving machines and the result of a collision can be catastrophic.

Operators are required to know the rules and adhere to them, be considerate of other people, whether they are in the water, on the beach, or in other boats.

Jet skis speeding or travelling too close to swimmers and other vessels is a major issue. Last year alone hundreds of people were fined for this type of behaviour.

Victoria Police also see jet skis operating in no-boating zones as well as riders and their passengers failing to wear lifejackets, which is a real concern.

Whether boating, fishing or wakeboarding, always wear the appropriate protective equipment.

Wearing an approved life jacket and carrying an EPIRB can be the difference between you making it home to your family or not.

If operating a boat, make yourself familiar with waterway rules, check the weather and conditions ahead of time and only choose to go boating on days where the weather is appropriate. Conditions can change very quickly.

Know your boat’s limits and your own limits. Taking a small fishing tinnie that is not designed for open surf, waves or rough water can be extremely dangerous.

Victoria Police are also urging people to swim in patrolled waterways and avoid dangerous areas.

Even if you’re a confident swimmer, water and weather conditions can be unpredictable and change drastically.

Police are urging people to swim in patrolled waterways and avoid dangerous areas, while they have coverage across the state, if you are boating or swimming at an unpatrolled waterway, the nearest boat or helicopter might be hours away.

Look out for your mates if you’re swimming with friends, and always keep an eye on children in the water.

Whether swimming, fishing or using personal watercraft, always wear the appropriate protective equipment.

General safety tips

There are simple precautions everyone can take to reduce the risk of incident on the water. These include:

Always wear an approved life jacket on a jet ski and boat

Check the weather before you go out

Let someone know where you are going, your point of departure and when you plan to return

Make sure your safety equipment is in good working condition

Carry a marine radio or mobile phone in a waterproof pouch

Carry a registered EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) or flares so you can raise the alarm in an emergency

Wear suitable clothing for the conditions, including something that is high visibility

Remember that conditions change suddenly

If your vessel is not required to be registered, consider displaying identification on your vessel such as a car registration or a telephone number, which will assist in identifying who it belongs to if it’s located, and

Attach reflective tape to your vessel and paddles to increase visibility.

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