Police will be out this long weekend to patrol the River Murray.
Operation Riversafe will focus primarily on life jackets, but police will also be tackling other safety and compliance issues on the water.
Life jackets are mandatory for anyone on motorised vessels shorter than 4.8 metres and for children under 12 on any vessel up to 12 metres in length. Paddle board riders are also required to wear a personal flotation device while on the water.
Officer in Charge of the Murray Mallee Local Service Area, Superintendent Cindy Healey encourages everyone to respect the river, its environment and others.
“Whether you are boating, fishing, paddle boarding or skiing, you need to know the rules and regulations and abide by them,” Superintendent Cindy Healey said.
Boat operators should be prepared for random checks by SAPOL officers to ensure boats are compliant with all required safety equipment. These checks could also include drug and alcohol tests, with operators required to have a blood-alcohol level below .05.
A four-knot speed restriction also applies within 50 metres of a person or non-powered vessel and within 30 metres of any other vessel.
For more information on boating rules and regulations, visit: South Australian boating safety handbook (marinesafety.sa.gov.au)
