Charges laid after water safety drive

Police have issued a warning to boaties following a four-day water safety operation in Moreton Bay.

Three people were charged, and 41 infringement notices were issued as part of the large-scale multi-agency compliance and enforcement operation.

Ahead of the summer months, boaties are reminded law enforcement agencies will be out in force to ensure they prioritise safety and comply with the rules and regulations.

“We want to ensure boaties are following the rules and complying with their obligations so our waterways can be safely enjoyed by everyone,” Brisbane Water Police Acting Sergeant Gene Hill said.

“Our message is simple: Make sure your vessel is well maintained, operated safely and it is properly equipped with accessible safety gear before heading out.”

Brisbane Water Police led the water safety operation, which included members from Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), Maritime Safety Queensland, Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS).

Officers from all agencies intercepted 179 vessels in a targeted and coordinated effort to improve marine safety in local waterways.

On one occasion officers from QPS and QPWS detected an illegal camp in the Moreton Bay Marine Park and found a four-metre dinghy that had allegedly been reported as stolen.

The boat was seized and a 38-year-old Mitchelton man has been charged with one count each of receiving tainted property and unlawful use of a motor vessel.

Brisbane Water Police also charged a 48-year-old man with drink driving after they intercepted a private boat near Nudgee boat ramp for routine compliance and safety checks.

A breath test returned a positive result more than two times the legal limit. The man was taken to Hendra Police station and returned a secondary reading of 0.100. He is due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on September 24.

The operation was used to educate boaties on safety obligations, such as ensuring they have the right lifejackets and equipment and that they comply with fish sizes and catch limits.

Brisbane Water Police are reminding anyone heading out onto the water to never mix alcohol and drugs when boating.