SAFETY ON THE WATER is EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY

This applies to all areas, not just Cairns!
September 23, 2013 at 8:32 am

Cairns Water Police are urging recreational boaties to ensure their safety equipment complies with current legislative requirements following another search andrescue at the weekend.

On Saturday a man called 000 stating that his vessel had broken down at Batt Reef off Port Douglas and he required assistance.

Officer in Charge of Cairns Water Police, Senior Constable Chris Uprichard said the man had used three hand held flares to try and alert other vessels in the vicinity but it did not work.

“Radio calls by Cairns VTS for vessels in the Batt Reef area to report the location of the flares went unanswered,” Senior Constable Uprichard said.

“Thankfully the man set off an EPIRB which resulted in him being located by the Port Douglas Coast Guard, who rendered mechanical assistance for approximately 20 minutes for an electrical problem, and the vessel was then able to proceed back to shore under its own power.

“A rescue helicopter was also deployed to respond to the beacon activation.

“Unfortunately the beacon used was not registered with them as it should have been.”

Cairns Water Police officers are concerned that on two consecutive weekends, radio calls of a distress situation went unanswered.

The use of hand held flares also appears to have been ignored or gone unreported by other vessels in the near vicinity.

Senior Constable Uprichard said boaties must be mindful of their obligations to assist a vessel displaying or communicating signals of distress.

“In the case they are not able to respond, their obligation to report such to Police, Coastguard or local vessel monitoring stations.

“In both these instances the matters would have been resolved in a more timely matter, with the assistance of nearby vessels, reducing the risks to persons involved.

“Please remember that safety on the water is everyone’s responsibility.”

Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.

Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.

For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.