Marine users are being urged to check the batteries in their vessels before hitting the water.

It's not like you can wave down a passing car on a busy highway. There could be little or no marine traffic where you are, and the weather can change and suddenly you are in a life-threatening situation.

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While there might be enough charge to get the watercraft started and out on the bay, it was vital, when you stopped to fish or pulled up at your favourite beach there was enough charge to restart the engine for your home journey.

"In some areas, lockdowns and reduced activity may have meant many watercraft have not been given as much use as in the past so checking the battery this summer has never been more important," said Century Batteries Australian and New Zealand national training manager John Kilby warned

"We don't service our boats as regularly as we service the car and time gets away from us: suddenly you realise the battery you thought you bought last year is in fact three years old."

He said it could be close to its use by date or needing a good charge.

"Just as our auto battery doesn't like the heat nor does a marine battery and if it has been sitting on the back of your trailer in the sun it can also deplete its charge," he said.

"And like cars, boat technology continues to become increasingly complex incorporating advanced electronics and engine management systems all placing greater demands on a battery."

Neglecting the battery between trips and not using a marine specific battery are the two biggest problems.

Fishers and boaties are today running a lot of gadgets - charging their phones, running a fridge or playing music through a speaker all connected to the battery.

And unlike car batteries, marine batteries must be able to resist vibration from wave pounding and trailer transportation.