Safety alerts

• Shipping containers posing a hazard to safe navigation

  12 June 2020

  Boaters travelling from Victoria into NSW waters are advised that shipping containers lost from the vessel APL England continue to pose a serious hazard to safe navigation.

• Safety Warning: Restricted visibility due to haze

  15 January 2020

  Bushfire smoke has created hazy conditions which is impacting visibility and could affect your health. Boaters are advised to be extra vigilant if heading out on the water, and use navigation lights in restricted visibility.

• Safety Alert: Carbon monoxide on boats

  29 October 2019

  In a recent incident, four Victorian boaters were hospitalised following exposure to carbon monoxide (CO).

• Safety Alert: Navigation lights

  15 February 2019

  There have been recent collisions directly attributable to the incorrect placement of navigation lights and /or vessels displaying navigation lights that do not comply with the Marine Safety Regulations 2012 (Vic) (MSR).

• Safety Alert: Potential explosions due to fuel tank installations

  1 August 2018

  Petrol vapours collect low down in boats in spaces such as bilges. When petrol vapour mixes with air within a specific concentration range the mixture becomes explosive. Exposure to any ignition source will result in an explosion with the potential results of fatality, severe injury and/or loss of vessel.

• Safety Alert: Lifejacket batch fails testing - RECALL

  19 January 2018

  Maritime Safety Victoria (MSV), a branch of Transport Safety Victoria, has identified a design fault in a batch of a Jarvis Walker branded block-style lifejacket.

• Safety Alert: Vessel overloading and stability

  21 December 2017

  Risk of capsizing an overloaded vessel of 4.8 m or less, including PWCs.

• Safety Alert: Solo paddling risks

  25 August 2017

  There have been two recent incidents involving solo kayakers launching at Altona. This Safety Alert is to make paddlers aware of the risks of paddling alone, and advise paddlers on how to make safer choices and be better prepared.

• Safety Alert: Dangers of paddling in offshore winds

  16 September 2016

  This safety alert applies to all individuals and organisations engaging in paddling activities. A recent investigation into a kayaking incident at Anglesea surf beach found that strong offshore wind prevented paddlers from being able to paddle back to shore.

• Safety Alert: Hazards on inland waterways

  14 January 2016

  As parts of Victoria dry out, previously navigable waterways are now smaller and shallower. There is an increased danger of collision with submerged objects and debris in lowering waters. Chances are the waterway is not the same as you remember.

• Safety Alert: New definition of Port Phillip Heads

  23 December 2015

  Recent changes to marine regulations – new definition of Port Phillip Heads.

• Safety Alert: Incident sparks boat fire warning

  31 March 2015

  Boaters are advised to check their electrical and fuel systems following a serious fire-related incident on Lake Eildon on 31 March 2015.