By PAUL MILLAR
WATER POLICE have warned that there will be no let up on the crackdown on offenders doing the wrong thing on coastal waters over the summer season.
Police served 47 infringement notices on boaters along the coast from Geelong to Queenscliff, including the Barwon River during December.
More than 30 of the notices were for safety equipment breaches, while the others mainly related to licencing and registration offences.
Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew Lilly said police would continue to send teams to known hot-spots along the coast.
“We will be out in force until the end of Easter and we will certainly be targeting anti-social behaviour on the water,” he said.
With huge crowds hitting the water during the recent hot spell, the acting senior sergeant also urged recreational boaters to ensure that their safety equipment was up to standard.
Sgt Lilly said there was an increase in popularity in inflatable personal flotation devices.
“But you have to be on top of servicing with these devices,” he said.
His warning coincides with Maritime Safety Victoria’s reminder to owners of boats about the importance of fire safety.
MSV spokesperson Paul Corkill said boat fires could be prevented if simple precautions were taken before and during the outing on the water.
“Boaters should keep in mind that most vessel fires are caused by poorly maintained mechanical equipment, which leads to petrol fumes leaking into confined spaces within the boat,” Mr Corkill said.
“Poorly maintained electrical systems then spark and ignite built up fuel vapour – usually just after refuelling.
“When refuelling, electrical systems must be isolated, engine bays must be adequately ventilated and any spillage must be cleaned up immediately.
“Fire extinguishers must be kept in good order and in a conspicuous, easily accessible location on-board.
“When refuelling and then restarting, the only person allowed on the boat is the operator – this is to minimise injuries if things go wrong.”
