Police, Maritime Safety Queensland and Coast Guard chat to boaties about safety . Photo credit: Toni Dugdale, Brisbane Coast Guard.
CONTRIBUTED BY BRISBANE COAST GUARD
A recent series of incidents on the Bay has prompted Brisbane Water Police to arrange safety education campaigns at local boat ramps. These are supported by Maritime Safety Queensland and Coast Guard, and aim to prevent incidents on the water by talking to boaties about safety.
“This isn’t an inspection of your boat,” explained Brisbane Coast Guard crewman Michael Neumann. “Instead it’s a chance for you to ask questions about the right equipment to have on board, the rules for different zones on the Bay, and the best weather conditions to be on the water.”
Every two weeks, the team will visit a different boat ramp around the Bay. With a coffee van also on site, the events are an opportunity to get a coffee and talk to any of the water safety organisations.
“Even if it seems like a basic question, it could be the small thing that helps keep you alive on the water,” Michael added. “One of the Coast Guard missions is to educate people about maritime safety.”
The public can also talk to crew at the Brisbane Coast Guard station at Manly. The station is staffed from 6am to 6pm on weekends and public holidays, where you can return old flares and EPIRBs, and buy new flares and other safety equipment.
