Spence: Boaties nabbed for safety breaches

A state-wide operation targeting boaties drink driving, speeding and breaching safety rules has resulted in 934 infringement notices.

Police Minister Judy Spence told parliament police intercepted nearly 4,500 vessels during operation Summer Safe.

Ms Spence said: “During December 2007 and January 2008, 3995 recreational vessels and 442 commercial vessels were intercepted.

“Overall, there were 934 marine infringement notices issued state-wide.

“Compared to the previous operation that is a 30% decrease in infringements. There was also a 29% decease in the number of recreational skippers intercepted.

“However, this does not appear to indicate that boaties are suddenly following the rules more closely.

“Rather, police believe that with the severe weather conditions experienced in January there were simply fewer recreational boaties out there.

“Skippers were certainly still found to be abusing alcohol. In fact there was an increase in recreational skippers charged with drink driving - with 17 charged compared to 13 last time.

“Cairns and the Gold Coast were the worst regions with 5 drink driving offences each

“On a positive note, no commercial skippers were found to be over the limit.

“The most prevalent offence detected during the operation was for failing to carry the prescribed safety equipment - with 254 notices issued.

“That’s despite constant reminders to skippers that it is their responsibility to have the necessary safety gear on board

“Speeding was the next most common infringement with 232 notices, 175 on the Gold Coast.

“Inappropriate jet ski activity continues to be an issue on the Gold Coast which recorded 50 of the 62 infringement notices issued statewide,” Ms Spence said.

Some of the other infringements included:

• 61 for being unlicensed
• 58 for being unregistered
• 21 in relation to navigational lights
• 108 for failing to display registration, and
• 39 for unsafe activities

“While there were fewer offences detected overall, police say the rate of offences per total intercepts remained mostly unchanged from the previous year.

“So the message is that despite boating safety campaigns there are still too many people failing to face up to their responsibilities on the water.

“There are still too many people taking unnecessary chances with their safety and the safety of others.

“For this reason police will continue to plan state-wide operations to target peak boating periods,” Ms Spence said.

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