By Luke Voogt
Geelong mayor and new marine licence holder Stephanie Asher is urging boaters and paddlers to go ‘overboard’ for safety to prevent deaths in the water this summer.
“There are more boats than ever and we want everyone to make it back to shore so remember; safety is absolutely number one,” Cr Asher said.
Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) is expecting a surge of activity on Corio Bay, Barwon River and other local waterways amid easing COVID-19 restrictions.
During 2018/2019 66 incidents occurred on Corio Bay, and Cr Asher has joined TSV’s campaign to prevent that number increasing.
She, husband Robin and son Sebastian recently obtained their marine licences after buying a jet ski.
“It’s really intense actually,” she said.
“There were four videos you had to watch and about four to five hours of education, plus an extra test and education for the jet ski.”
Sebastian and his friends plan to tow-in each other to surf the Bombora wave 2km off Ocean Grove, which occurs only in certain conditions, Cr Asher explained.
“The bommie gets pretty big out the back – it’s way too scary for me,” she said.
But she is confident her son is now well-equipped to enjoy the jet ski safely with his new licence.
Cr Asher urged water-users to practice going overboard and getting back on their craft in a safe environment, for if they fall off at sea.
“No matter how experienced you are, things can still happen that are out of your control,” she said.
TSV’s Gareth Johnson said practicing getting back on was critical, with boating incidents on the rise.
“Don’t wait until you’re treading water to find out you can’t get back on. Just because you could once doesn’t mean you can now.”
About a third of paddlers and coastal boaters did not carry equipment to help them get back aboard during their last outing, according to TSV’s latest research.
Mr Johnson recommended that paddlers learn to use a paddle float and stirrup and take professional instruction.
He urged boaters to use a kill switch that cuts the engine if they fall overboard and invest in a ladder that extends into the water.
He promoted TSV’s other ‘Prepare to survive: Know the five’ messages of checking the weather, carrying a distress beacon, wearing a lifejacket and having a buddy.
“Boaters and paddlers usually remember to check the weather and wear a lifejacket, but many injuries and – sadly – fatalities, result when they go out alone, can’t get back on and are unable to raise the alarm.”
