FOLLOWING a boat and jetski crash on the Georges River at Illawong at the weekend, Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is reminding boaters to be safe on the Hawkesbury River.
Ahead of summer and the boating season, RMS warns locals to please take safety precautions when on the water to avoid a similar incident.
RMS executive director - maritime, Angus Mitchell, said any incident that occurs on our waterways that causes harm, injury or is fatal is tragic - however in almost all cases, it is avoidable.
“We want people to be able to enjoy being on the water, but that comes with responsibility. It’s important to always keep a proper lookout and remember that as the skipper you are responsible for yourself, all those on board, and also your impact on others using the waterway,” said Mr Mitchell.
“Poor judgement is the third most common cause for fatal incidents and the main cause for both serious injury and overall incidents.
“What you do on the water affects other people around you so it’s particularly important that you always precede at a ‘safe speed’, observe safety signs and be aware of passive craft, including kayaks, paddle boards and surf and jet skis.”
With the arrival of peak boating season, RMS will continue to focus on the promotion of safe and responsible boating habits for the almost two million people who go boating in NSW each year.
“Those that fail to observe safe and respectful behaviour towards others will be in our sights,” Mr Mitchell said.
For more information on boating safety view www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime.
