HELLO again and welcome to another edition of On The Beat.
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With the weather over Easter at its finest this year, we saw a lot of extra boating activity on our waters.
Following another long weekend of reasonable weather, and a lot of keen boaters and fishos in our area year-round, it’s important to remember the safety basics.
Minimum safety requirements for enclosed waters (most Shoalhaven waterways) include the following:
One type 1 (level 100 or 150) lifejacket per person on board.
One suitable anchor with sufficient chain and anchor line/rope.
One bailer or bucket with lanyard/rope attached.
One fire extinguisher (if the engine is electric start, and/or the vessel has a sub-floor fuel tank, and/or is carrying a gas or fuel stove).
One paddle or one set of oars with rowlocks for vessels under 6 metres in length, unless a secondary means of propulsion is fitted.
One safety label outlining the passenger capacity of the vessel.
One sound signalling device such as a horn, bell or whistle.
One floating waterproof torch.
Once again, these are the absolute minimum requirements to take your boat out on the water. If you intend heading further out into open waters, there are numerous other safety items required to ensure you and your passengers are giving yourselves the best chance of returning home safely.
For further information on boating safety, visit the NSW Maritime website at: www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/sbh/index.html
Marine Rescue also provides a marvellous service, so make sure you log on and off when you head out on the water. For further information on Marine Rescue services, please visit www.marinerescuensw.com.au.
NSW Maritime, NSW Police and NSW Fisheries patrol our waterways in an effort to promote safety and compliance, so we can all enjoy our resources safely.
In case of emergency, call triple-0. For non-emergencies, contact PoliceLink on 131 444 or your local Police Station. To provide anonymous information contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.