Safety reminder for boaties this Australia Day public holiday and over the weekend

24 January 2023

An expected surge in visitors to metro coastal waters and Goolwa this Australia Day public holiday and weekend has prompted warnings from Marine Safety Officers for holidaymakers to be boat and water safe.

Marine Safety Officers and South Australia Police (SAPOL) will have an increased presence on the water and at local boat ramps, ensuring vessel operators are equipped with the most appropriate safety tools, including lifejackets.

The importance of a properly fitted lifejacket is critical for all boaties and their passengers, including children.

Lifejackets are rated either Level 150, Level 100, Level 50, or Level 50S, based on how much buoyancy they provide.

Boat operators are also reminded to observe speed restrictions and secure their mooring, keeping an eye on them as water levels rise and fall.

A four-knot speed restriction applies within 50 metres of a person or non-powered vessel and within 30 metres of any other vessel.

Four-knots is commonly referred to as a fast-walking speed. Slow down and make the boating experience safe and enjoyable for everyone. Penalties apply if these controls or speed restrictions are not observed.

The four-knot speed limit also applies for all personal watercraft, including jet skis, within 200 metres of the metropolitan shoreline (between Outer Harbor southern breakwater and the southern end of Sellicks Beach).

Operators of personal watercraft are also reminded they are permitted to operate after 8am Monday to Saturday and after 9am on Sundays until sunset or 8pm (whichever is earlier) on any day.

As well as foot patrols, SAPOL will deploy trail bikes and All-Terrain Vehicles to monitor behaviour on coastal areas and traffic congestion on drive-on beaches.

Boat operators should be prepared for random checks by SAPOL officers to check that boats are compliant with all required safety equipment. These checks could also include a drug and alcohol test of boat operators.

Dry zone conditions are in place in coastal areas and breaches of these conditions can result in an expiation notice of $254.

Water users are reminded that flood-related restrictions remain in place for the River Murray, Lower Lakes, Goolwa and surrounds.

For more on all current restrictions and the latest marine safety advice, please visit the State Government’s dedicated website at www.sa.gov.au/floods.

Everyone on the water, whether they are earning a living or just having fun, has a responsibility to make sure all boaties get home safe.

Stay informed on changing weather conditions and safety alerts at www.ses.sa.gov.au, www.bom.gov.au or call the SA Emergency Info line on 1800 362 361.

To report navigational hazards and marine safety concerns, visit SA.GOV.AU - Reporting boat incidents (www.sa.gov.au).

Which lifejacket do you need? Which lifejacket do you need? (marinesafety.sa.gov.au).

Safety equipment checker tool: Safety equipment checker tool (marinesafety.sa.gov.au).