Sun Oct 06 22:10:00 UTC 2024: ## Boaters Urged to Be Vigilant as Long Weekend Kicks Off Boating Season
The Labour Day long weekend marked the start of the NSW boating season, and authorities are urging boaters to be vigilant and practice safety precautions. This call comes after a distressing incident on the Central Coast, where a 30-foot motor cruiser became firmly embedded in a sandbar near Woy Woy.
The four passengers aboard were forced to wait for high tide before the vessel could be dislodged. The Central Coast Marine Rescue NSW unit, which responded to the incident, also dealt with several other calls for help over the weekend, primarily due to engine and fuel troubles.
Unit commander Ian Morrow emphasized the importance of pre-trip safety checks, including ensuring sufficient fuel and regular engine servicing.
Meanwhile, the boating season got off to a tragic start further south, with a 25-year-old man losing his life in a water skiing incident on the Hawkesbury River. The incident occurred early Sunday morning when the water-skier hit the water at speed, sustaining fatal injuries.
NSW Maritime, Marine Rescue NSW, Marine Area Command police, and Surf Life Saving NSW are all on high alert for the boating season. Authorities are conducting compliance checks and drug and alcohol testing, and will be patrolling waterways throughout the public holiday.
The top three boating offences detected by NSW Maritime in the Hunter region over the past five years were for licenses or registrations, lifejacket non-compliance, and improper or no safety equipment.
First Piper 