NSW Police Marine Area Command keeping Sydney’s waterways safe this Christmas
NSW Police’s Marine Area Command officers have lifted the lid on what it takes to keep Sydney’s waterways safe, as the mercury rises and the festive season kicks off in earnest.
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An alleged drink driver, some young men in a suspicious smelling cloud of smoke on King Street Wharf and a flotilla of party boats are among the jobs Sydney’s water police attend to on a busy night on our harbour.
The Daily Telegraph took to Sydney Harbour with officers from NSW Police’s Marine Area Command as they hit the water to conduct the weekend before Christmas.
Det Snr Con Shane Harrison said the MAC’s boat crews worked hand-in-hand with general duties police, particularly around King Street Wharf where the majority of harbour cruise boats take off.
“We help ensure the safety of all users of our harbour, particularly during the festive season, on board licensed charter vessels by conducting licensing operations and random drug testing,” Det Snr Con Harrison said.
As the festive season kicks off in earnest, safety and anti-social behaviour are the primary targets.
“We just want to keep people safe, you don’t want them falling in,” Det Snr Con Harrison said.
“Basically, we’re looking after the waterway – things can go horribly wrong, horribly fast.”
The first two random breath tests the MAC’s officers conduct came back negative, with everybody on board complying with their lifejacket and fire extinguisher requirements.
The third boat driver was less fortunate.
The skipper and his female companion were stopped by the MAC on his vessel at Athol Bay near Mosman, where police will allege he said he had been drinking gin and tonics.
“It will be alleged the man returned a positive reading where he was arrested and taken to the Marine Area Command, Balmain, to undergo a breath analysis,” a NSW Police spokesman said.
“Police will further allege the 47-year-old man returned a reading of 0.055.”
The skipper was charged with operating a vessel with a low range prescribed concentration of alcohol in his blood, and is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on February 7 next year.
The MAC towed his boat to a safe location before taking him to the command for breath analysis.
Back on the wharf, officers were headed to conduct a compliance check on an incoming party cruise boat when they – and The Daily Telegraph – walked through a cloud of suspicious smelling smoke.
A subsequent search of five male workmates celebrating the festive season uncovered nothing illegal.
Another random compliance check on a returning cruise boat full of festive season revellers confirmed the private operator was also in the clear.
“We’re looking for intoxication, drug use, drug supply, assaults, the people who are acting anti-social,” Det Snr Con Harrison said. “
It’s dangerous – honestly, the amount of jobs that we get even just from people being complacent on the water is notable.”
Det Snr Con Rob Collins said it was by far the busiest time of the year for the MAC. “October to February, that’s our busy period,” Det Snr Con Collins said.
“There’s a lot more people on the water and boats, personal water craft. Everyone needs to look out for each other and be safe.”
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