‘Just be careful out there, it’s basic seamanship’
A warning has been issued for boaties after a seasonal change left carnage on the foreshore.
Whitsunday
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BOATIES have been issued a firm warning to pay attention to the weather after several vessels suffered an unfortunate fate on the weekend.
After a long period of south easterly winds, the past two weeks have brought a typical seasonal change with winds now swinging to the north.
Without attention to the weather, a change in wind can cause boats to drift loose if the anchor is not reset.
This was the case for a trimaran on the weekend that broke into several pieces and washed up on the Airlie Beach foreshore.
Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsunday president Mal Priday said a lack of knowledge about the changing conditions could lead to dire consequences.
"People don't pay attention to the weather forecast and are not showing proper care and attention and seamanship," he said.
"If you're on the boat and you know it's drifting, it's fine.
"But if the boat is left unattended then you're at the mercy of the weather."
VMR crews are not permitted to attend to a boat if there is no one on board or without instructions from the owner, police or Marine Safety Queensland.
Drifting boats from a change in winds is not a new phenomenon and Mr Priday said that in 2008, there were about 25 boats washed up on the beach after a particularly bad weather event.
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However, he urged boaties to pay attention to the forecast for the sake of the community and their own vessel.
"They should be checking the weather, particularly if the boat is being left unattended," he said.
"Play safe, check the weather, make sure that someone has access to your boat if it needs to be moved.
"Just be careful out there, it's basic seamanship."
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