AN app to help keep boaties up to date with the weather and water conditions was launched last week.
The Boating Vic app was unveiled by the state government at a press conference at Patterson River last week. The state government says that the app will include “ramp and carpark vision (live at selected locations), along with localised information such as, marine weather forecasts, warnings, notifications, facility information and safety advice from a range of agencies.”
Carrum MP Sonya Kilkenny said “with more people on the water as we head into summer, we want to make sure you’re prepared for a safer trip.”
“It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced boater or just getting out on the water for the first time, conditions on the water can change very quickly which is why this new app is so important,” she said.
“Whether you’re boating on the bay or enjoying a paddle on Patterson River, Boating Vic, with real time weather and boat launch conditions, helps locals plan a safer day on the water.”
The state government says they launched the app in response to an evaluation of Maritime Safety Victoria’s (MSV) 2018/19 campaign, which found that 50 per cent of boaters and 85 per cent of paddlers don’t check the weather while they are out on the water.
The app release coincided with the launch of the state government’s Know the Weather safety campaign, aimed at making sure boaters and fishers know the conditions before getting out on the water this summer.
The Boating Vic app is available on the Google Play or Apple app stores.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone New – 27 November 2019
