News
18 January, 2025
Authorities cracking down on boat safety
Queensland authorities will be cracking down on dangerous boating behaviours on both coastal and inland waters these summer holidays.
In an effort to prevent on-water fatalities and injuries, Queensland Water Police (QPS), Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ), and Seqwater are mounting joint campaigns to enforce the maritime Fatal Five until February 2, 2025.
Extra patrols on Queensland waterways will be targeting:
Drink and drug taking
Speeding
Lifejacket and safety equipment compliance
Keeping a proper lookout and distance off
Trip Planning
Drink and drug taking is even more dangerous in a boat than in a car and can have the same fatal outcomes. Brisbane Water Police patrols will be particularly focusing on these offenses during the school holidays.
Speeding continues to be the most common offense on the water, despite it being especially dangerous in congested waterways during peak holiday seasons.
MSQ statistics show that of 64 boat-related drownings in the last five years, only five people were wearing life jackets at the time of their accident.
A QPS spokesperson said Water Police “have zero tolerance” for anyone operating a boat under the influence. “Anyone found to be risking the safety of themselves, their passengers, or other vessels will be held to account.”
Seqwater is warning boaties that recent heavy rains mean dams this summer could be vastly different waterways than they were just weeks ago.
Stay alive and stay safe.
