Queensland records lowest number of boating deaths in four years
Latest data from Maritime Safety Queensland shows there was a drop in the number of fatal boating accidents recorded last year. Unfortunately, there was also a sharp rise in the number of hospitalisations.
Redlands Coast
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Maritime Safety Queensland has revealed that there were 342 reported boating incidents involving 465 vessels across the state in 2018.
The report, tabled in Parliament this week by Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, showed the lowest number of fatalities in four years, although hospitalisations rose dramatically.
Brisbane was third in the state for number of accidents, reporting 53 incidents including one fatality and four hospital admissions.
This was behind the Gold Coast at 83 incidents and Gladstone on 69 – with two deaths.
Other fatal accidents were reported in Townsville, which had two deaths, and Cairns with one.
Statewide there was a sharp rise in incidents resulting in hospitalisations – almost doubling from 19 in 2017 to 36 last year.
Member for Redlands and War on Wrecks chair Kim Richards said there were 18 people injured in the Brisbane management area last year.
“Human factors were again the most significant contributor to many incidents, which frequently happened on smooth water, with good visibility in clear weather,” Ms Richards said.
“Clearly the importance of keeping a proper lookout at all times cannot be overstated.
“Not surprisingly almost half of all reported marine incidents happened on the weekend.”
Mr Bailey said that more than 261,000 recreational vessels were now registered in Queensland – about one vessel for every 19 people.
“The Marine Incident Report is Maritime Safety Queensland’s best measure of how safe we are on our waterways and how best we can improve our performance for the increasing number of boaties,” he said.
“Last year we recorded six deaths from five marine incidents involving recreational vessels, which was one less than last year.
“Any death on waters is one too many, but it’s encouraging to see a continued improvement in recreational boating safety which has shown a steady decline in the rate of reported marine incidents over the past decade.”
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Across Queensland, the recorded incidents included 38 domestic commercial vehicles, 269 motorboats, 93 sailboats, 40 personal watercraft, 16 paddle boats and nine houseboats.
Mr Bailey said the report would be carefully analysed by Maritime Safety Queensland to identify areas where safety regulations and education could be most effectively directed.
“What the data shows is that no matter what the conditions or time of day, it’s important that everyone avoids becoming complacent, and that we all work together to improve maritime safety into the future, especially with more Queenslanders on the water,” he said.
“In the broadest sense, the most important message we can give is for boat masters to ensure there are always enough life jackets on board for everyone and everyone knows how to use them.”
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STATEWIDE MARITIME INCIDENT STATISTICS
Brisbane: 53 marine incidents reported involving 82 vessels – 73 Queensland regulated ships and nine domestic commercial vessels. There were 18 people injured including one fatality and four hospital admissions.
Gold Coast: 83 marine incidents involving 125 vessels – 115 Queensland regulated ships and 10 domestic commercial vessels. Twenty-nine people were injured, including 16 who were admitted to hospital.
Sunshine Coast: 36 marine incidents involving 54 vessels – 51 Queensland regulated ships and three domestic commercial vessels. Nine people injured with four admitted to hospital.
Gladstone: 69 marine incidents involving 84 vessels – 79 Queensland regulated ships and five domestic commercial vessels. Fifteen people were injured, including two fatalities and seven admitted to hospital.
Mackay:18 marine incidents involving 24 vessels – 23 Queensland regulated ships and one domestic commercial vessel. Six people were injured including one hospital admission and five other injuries.
Townsville: 42 marine incident reports involving 48 vessels – 43 Queensland regulated ships and five domestic commercial vessels. Seven people were injured, including two fatalities, three admitted to hospital and two minor injuries.
Cairns: 38 marine incident reports involving 48 vessels – 43 Queensland regulated ships and five domestic commercial vessels. Eleven people were injured, including one fatality, nine hospital admissions and one with minor injuries.
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