Townsville Water Police urge boaties to stay safe and to sink fish not tinnies
Authorities are urging Townsville boaties to be safe on the water these Christmas holidays as celebrations ramp up for the festive period.
Townsville
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AUTHORITIES are urging Townsville boaties to be vigilant and cautious on the water these Christmas holidays as celebrations ramp up for the festive period.
Townsville Water Police Sergeant Matthew Pegg reminded boat owners who were going to be spending time on the water over Christmas to play it safe, typically the busiest time of the year on Queensland’s waterways.
“Drink responsibly and do not engage in activities … that will endanger their life or other people on the boat,” she said.
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Sgt Pegg said the police would be out in force making sure people were doing the right thing.
“It is a period for celebration and drink driving on the water and drug driving are things that we will target,” he said.
“The last thing we need in our area or any area in Queensland is a fatality on the waterway.”
The Townsville Water Police will be conducting offshore and inshore patrols as well as patrols of dams and river ways.
Sgt Pegg said two water police crews would be patrolling the waterways with speeding an important mission of their operation.
Boat owners can expect hefty penalties if they are caught drug and drink driving as well as speeding.
Sgt Pegg reminded boat owners to check their on-board provisions and to notify the appropriate authorities of their plans before they depart.
Originally published as Townsville Water Police urge boaties to stay safe and to sink fish not tinnies