Dire warning for boaties after spike in rescues and deaths out on the water

Authorities have issued serious safety warnings to boaties after three men were rescued and one died while out on Tasmanian waters this week. LATEST >>

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Men forced to swim ashore after boat capsizes - Sunday, November 14

Boat owners need to take the time to make an informed decision before heading out on the water, Marine and Safety Tasmanian general manager Peter Hopkins warns.

On Saturday night three men were forced to swim to shore after their boat overturned off the West Coast, south of Port Sorrell.

One of the local West Coast men then called triple 0 for assistance, but they were able to walk to some shacks located on the western side of Macquarie Heads before emergency services arrived and were taken back to their camp by a local shack owner.

Mr Hopkins said people were taking unnecessary risks.

Cape Sorell. Photo: Joe Shemesh / Discover Tasmania Facebook.

“It’s about making the right choice at the right time. Really bad decisions are being made and people getting into strife,” Mr Hopkins said.

“No crayfish pot, no flathead is worth someone risking their life.”

Mr Hopkins said trips should be delayed if the weather wasn’t good enough.

“As skipper you are responsible for everyone on board. Slow down a bit, assess the situation; the sea conditions, the weather conditions, the forecast weather conditions.”

“People are checking the weather, but they’ve got to understand the weather.”

MAST general manager Peter Hopkins with PFD's at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

Last week a 65-year-old man died and his 33-year-old son was rescued after spending eight hours in the water when their boat capsized in Norfolk Bay, in the state’s south-east.

In October three friends failed to return from a boat trip on the North West Coast.

The bodies of two of those onboard washed ashore. The third member of the group is missing, presumed drowned.

MAST advises boat users to let someone know where they are going and expected time of return, and ensure safety gear, including flares and EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon), is easily accessible onboard.

Mr Hopkins said wearing life jackets made a significant difference in reducing the number of boating fatalities.

“Since was it became compulsory to wear life jackets in 2001, we’ve seen fatalities per 10,000 boats which was at 6.3 per cent drop to about 1 per cent which is a massive decrease, but we are still seeing fatalities and we are working to get to zero.”

Man in custody following verbal abuse at Devonport Bluff - Saturday, November 13

A young Devonport man is in police custody after an alleged racially motivated verbal attack at the Devonport Bluff on October 25.

The 22-year-old allegedly concealed his face as he approached and abused a Devonport couple as they tried to enjoy a late afternoon walk on the Bluff.

Tasmania Police said the man was livestreamed during the incident.

The man was identified and taken into custody after an investigation by Devonport Police for this incident, and several unrelated matters.

The man will be presented to an after hours sitting in the Devonport Magistrates Court at today.

Members of the community who witness this behaviour are encouraged to report

it to police.

Tragedy as 65yo man dies in boating trip gone wrong – Friday, November 12

A 65-year-old man has been found dead after a boating tragedy near Norfolk Bay in southeast Tasmania.

Police began searching for the man and another 33-year-old man about 6pm Thursday when friends raised concerns after they failed to return from an outing as planned.

“The pair had set off from Premaydena in a small, motorised dinghy, with plans to stay close to shore at Norfolk Bay,” Acting Inspector Penny Reardon said.

“A land, sea and air search was conducted and at 10.30pm the 33-year-old man was found by marine police about 1.5km from shore.

Acting Inspector Penny Reardon. Photo: Jack Evans

“He was transported to hospital for medical treatment after being in the water since the dinghy capsized some eight hours earlier.

“The search continued into the night and early this morning for the other man, who was sadly found deceased near Wiggins Point shortly before 8am.

“The dinghy was found nearby a little while later.”

Act Insp Reardon said police wanted to thank the community for the information provided overnight and for all those who offered support and assistance in the search.

“Our thoughts go out to the man’s family and loved ones,” she said.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

UPDATE, 9am Friday:

Tasmania Police have confirmed the search for a missing man and boat near Norfolk Bay has ended in tragedy.

“Sadly police can confirm the body of a man has today been found in the search for a boat missing near Norfolk Bay overnight. Our thoughts are with the man’s loved ones, and police would like to thank all those who assisted with the search,” the said.

UPDATE, 6.43am Friday:

The search for a man and boat missing near Norfolk Bay is continuing this morning, with a man in his 30s located overnight.

About 6pm yesterday police began an air and sea search for two men on board a 3-metre white plastic motorised dinghy, who had failed to return after departing Premaydena about 2pm.

One of the men was found by a police marine unit about 1 mile from shore in Norfolk Bay about 10.30pm.

Police say he was wearing a Personal Floatation Device and was taken to hospital for medical treatment after being in the water for about eight hours.

An Australian Maritime Safety Authority Challenger aircraft, two police vessels, Kingborough and Dodges Ferry Volunteer Marine Rescue Units and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter continued to search into the night in the Norfolk Bay area for the man’s companion and the vessel, which was last seen upturned in an area North of Premaydena.

The search has resumed this morning. Further updates will be provided when available.

9.33pm Thursday:

An air and sea search has been launched for two men who have gone missing in their dinghy Thursday afternoon near Norfolk Bay.

Tasmania Police said two men on board a three-metre white plastic motorised dinghy left Premaydena, on the Tasman Peninsula, about 2pm Thursday and failed to return as planned.

“The Westpac Rescue Helicopter and police marine units are being used in the search.”

Anyone who has seen the vessel in the area is asked to contact police on 131 444.

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