• Bayside News Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
  • Read Our Newspapers Online
    • Read the Latest Western Port News
    • Read the Latest Mornington News
    • Read the Latest Southern Peninsula News
    • Read the Latest Frankston Times
    • Read the Latest Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Friday, August 12
Trending
  • Award for golf coaching program
  • House engulfed in flames
  • Early designs for sky rail to be ‘refined’
  • Ballroom dancing to help students with confidence
  • SES survivor warns of stroke danger
  • Season on the line for Seagulls
  • Pythons face an uphill battle, Redlegs stumble
  • Ketch blown ashore in Dromana
Facebook Twitter
Bayside News
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
Bayside News
Home»News»Going overboard for water safety
News

Going overboard for water safety

Bayside NewsBy Bayside News20 January 2021Updated:20 January 2021No Comments2 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Snr const Steve Drew on the pier with Leading Senior Constable Christian Airey on bow of boat, Leading Senior Constable Scot MccAll piloting boat.
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

BOATERS and paddlers are being urged to practice getting back on their craft so they will be better prepared to save themselves this summer.

Maritime Safety Victoria acting director Gareth Johnson says he expects a surge of water activity as boaters and paddlers make the most of free time from the restrictions imposed by COVID-19.

“With increased activity comes the possibility of increased incidents, injuries and fatalities,” he said. “In 2018-19 there were 717 incidents in Port Phillip (excluding Corio) and 219 in Western Port and we don’t want to see those numbers increase.

“Our critical safety message for boaters and paddlers – practice getting back on.

“If you’re planning to go out on a boat or a kayak in the next few months, 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.”

Mr Johnson says that with incidents on the rise in recent years, TSV’s five messages for summer remain critical. “Boaters and paddlers usually remember to check the weather and wear a lifejacket, but many injuries – and, sadly, fatalities – happen when they go out alone, can’t get back on and are unable to raise the alarm.”

Research shows 37 per cent of paddlers and 31 per cent of coastal boaters, on their last outing, did not carry equipment to help them get back on board.

“That’s why we recommend boaters and kayakers practice getting back on board – soon,” Mr Johnson said. “If you own a boat you should do this once a year and if you’re a kayaker or canoer do it more frequently.”

Paddlers should learn to use a paddle float and stirrup and consider taking professional instruction before kayaking trips. Boaters are advised to have a kill switch that ensures the engine cuts out if they fall overboard. They should buy a ladder that extends into the water.

The Prepare to Survive campaign focuses on preparation, so that if something does go wrong, boaters have the best chance of survival. This includes knowing the weather; practicing getting back on; carrying a distress beacon; having a buddy plan and wearing a lifejacket.

Details: Visit msv.vic.gov.au/prepare

First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 20 January 2021

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Bayside News

Related Posts

House engulfed in flames

10 August 2022

Ballroom dancing to help students with confidence

10 August 2022

New program for parking

8 August 2022

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Aug 12, 2022 - Fri
Chelsea, Australia
10°C
2 km/h, E
71%
762.07 mmHg
fri08/12 sat08/13 sun08/14 mon08/15 tue08/16
13/10°C
13/10°C
12/10°C
11/10°C
12/10°C
Peninsula Essence Magazine

Click Here to Read

25 July 2022
Peninsula Kids Magazine

Click Here to Read

26 May 2022
Council Watch

Kilkenny a minister

6 July 2022

Push to stop rate collection methods

14 June 2022
Interviews

Murder mystery on the water

25 July 2022
Property of the Week

14 Lynch Court, Mt Martha

26 July 2022
100 Years Ago this Week

Ketch blown ashore in Dromana

8 August 2022
Contact

Street: 63 Watt Road, Mornington, 3931
Mailing: PO Box 588, Hastings, 3915

Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Entertainment
  • Local History
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
About

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

Facebook Twitter
© 2022 Mornington Peninsula News Group.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.