Boating: Gold Coast Waterways Authority running smart camera trial in Coomera River and Southern Broadwater

Authorities are investigating whether advanced new cameras being installed on Gold Coast waterways could be used to identify speeding boats.

AUTHORITIES are investigating whether advanced new cameras being installed on Gold Coast waterways could be used to identify speeding boats.

Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) announced late last week it was investing in a “smart camera trial” to improve planning, network management and safety on the water.

The project will also “investigate whether computers can be trained to recognise vessel registration numbers to help with the identification of speeding vessels”.

GCWA has engaged the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to operate the cameras and gather data on how waterways are being used.

Speeding boaties have been a concern on Coomera River. Picture: Jerad Williams

It will inform plans and strategies for managing pressures placed on Coast waterways due to population growth and growing boat ownership.

Researchers will use advanced machine learning, among other methods, to estimate numbers and types of vessels.

Combined with information on marine incidents and weather, the data will show usage trends and give insight into future patterns of waterway use and pressure points.

But the second part of the project involves using the same technology to “develop a more accurate way of measuring vessel speed on the water”, GCWA states.

CEO Hal Morris said GCWA and QUT have been rolling out the cameras at 20 locations across the Coomera River and the Southern Broadwater.

Several of the cameras were used to capture images over the Australia Day long weekend.

QUT project manager Associate Professor James McGree, said the cameras will take continuous photographs at all times and in all weather conditions.

The cameras are being rolled out at 20 locations. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Mr Morris said estimating speed on the water was quite different to land-based speed and researchers will consider factors including water currents, weather, vessel direction and distance from the cameras.

The outcomes of a GCWA speed limit trial in the Coomera River (South Arm) between July 2018-June 2019 recommended investigating the use of new technology to enhance marine safety and educate users.

Mr Morris said the cameras will “create a more complete picture of who is using the waterways, where they’re going, what type of vessel or watercraft they’re travelling in, and how they’re interacting with other users and the environment”.

Gold Coast Water Police, Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol and Maritime Safety Queensland enforce speed limits and safety rules.