Boating season has officially opened in NSW with a statewide on-water safety compliance operation involving NSW Police Force, Roads and Maritime Services and Department of Primary Industries across the long weekend. Operation Vikings Marine kicks off today (Saturday 4 October 2014) and involves police officers from Marine Area Command, Roads and Maritime Boating Safety Officers and NSW Fisheries officers. The operation is an initiative of the Marine Compliance Taskforce, a two-year strategy established in March 2013 to reform NSW Government on-water compliance operations. Marine Area Commander, Detective Superintendent Mark Hutchings, said the agencies will be working together to ensure this season is the safest yet. “We have built very strong relationships with Maritime and Fisheries, and through the taskforce, we have united for a targeted and more efficient approach to water safety and compliance,” Det Supt Hutchings said. “Officers from all agencies will be out in force this weekend to enforce maritime laws, conduct safety checks, inspect size and bag limits of fish, check boat licences and police will conduct random breath tests. “The same drink-driving laws apply on the water as on land – the legal limit is 0.05 – but as we always say, it’s better not to drink if you’re getting behind the wheel. “Skippers need to remember they are responsible for the safety of everyone on board, and we are starting the season with a high-visibility reminder that safety compliance will be enforced.” Roads and Maritime Director Maritime, Angus Mitchell, said improving weather across NSW had already seen an increase of boating activity. “It cannot be over-emphasised how important it is to carry out a pre-season maintenance check of your boat, including all safety equipment as now we are beginning the boating season in earnest,” Mr Mitchell said. “Boaters are also encouraged to check the weather before and during boating with dangerous surf conditions forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology for entire NSW coast today, continuing into tomorrow for the north coast.” In addition to safety compliance, officers are targeting fishing compliance to reduce the chance of over fishing and to ensure stocks remain at sustainable levels. NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Acting Director of Compliance, Tony Andrews, said fishers planning to wet a line this season need to be aware of the recreational fishing rules in NSW. “Anyone who is unsure of the rules and regulations should pick up a free copy of the current NSW Recreational Fishing Guides or contact their local Fisheries Office,” Mr Andrews said. “I encourage anyone who suspects illegal fishing activity to contact the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536.” For more information on the Marine Compliance Taskforce, visit: transport.nsw.gov.au/marine-compliance-taskforce. More information on Marine Area Command can be found on their Facebook page: facebook/NSWPoliceMAC. For more information on boating safety, visit rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime. Further information about fishing and aquaculture is available at: dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries.
Posted on: Sat, 04 Oct 2014 03:21:13 +0000
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