Water Safety Warnings to Victorians This Summer
Acting Premier, Peter Ryan urged Victorians to behave responsibly and take care while using all types of water craft this summer holiday period.
Mr Ryan said the Victoria Police Water Police Squad will be out in force to ensure all recreational and commercial vessels are properly equipped with safety gear, registered and are operating within marine laws and regulations.
"Boating is a popular past-time for many Victorians and we want to ensure people take care and operate vessels with safety in mind, and abide by the laws so everyone can enjoy the waterways," Mr Ryan said.
"We are lucky in Victoria to have a host of locations for recreational water activities and in some, such as Port Phillip Bay, there are commercial operations too.”
"Under hoon boating laws, police have the power to issue an embargo notice and affix it to the vessel to prohibit use of the boat for 48 hours, and can immobilise and seize vessels as well as seeking their forfeiture for second and subsequent offences."
Mr Ryan said the Water Police and the Search and Rescue squads are based at a state-of-the-art coordination centre at Williamstown, but they cover all corners of the state.
Water Police have a number of strategies in place to ensure people's safety on the water this summer including:
- the rescue command centre staffed 24 hours, seven days a week
- a dedicated marine coordinator for every shift
- Melbourne Port security patrolling 24 hours, seven days a week
- Geelong, Portland and Hastings Port security and routine patrols
- concentrated efforts at the Patterson River boat ramp (largest in Victoria)
- patrols in waterways in north east Victoria (Lake Eildon and Hume)
- dedicated patrols in Gippsland covering Lakes Entrance to Gabo Island
There will also be two fully equipped strike teams deployed to rural waterways, such as Pikes Creek and Lake Eppalock.