In the 12 months since its release, Transport Safety Victoria’s trip preparation website and app – Boating Vic – has helped 87 per cent of surveyed boaters decide whether to launch or stay home.

In the past year, 17 boat ramp cameras have been installed or upgraded across Victoria, enabling boaters to see weather and traffic conditions at ramps and facilities, alongside safety tutorials and advice in the app’s extensive Knowledge Hub.

The unique mix of information contributed to 16,000 downloads of the Boating Vic app, and one million page views since the site launched in late 2019.

“Boaters and paddlers now have more confidence in making decisions about whether to go out on the water,” said Lisa Faldon, Acting Director Maritime Safety.

“Using Boating Vic, boaters are better equipped to recognise and avoid risks whenever and wherever they go boating.”

But data recorded by Boating Vic boat ramp cameras is not only valuable to boaters, it is critical for future planning.

“Boating Vic has enabled Maritime Safety Victoria to capture details about the conditions and times for 100,000 launches in the past year,” said Ms Faldon.

“These insights into boating activity will help MSV and the boating community make informed decisions about facility upgrades and expansion of the Boating Vic network across the State.”

Using data captured to date, the Boating Vic team recently asked Victorian waterway users which of the approximately 400 launching facilities in regional and inland Victoria should be included in the next roll out of cameras.

“Not all boating occurs in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port, so we’re keen to expand to popular regional locations such as Lake Eildon, Corner Inlet, Gippsland Lakes and Port Albert,” said Ms Faldon.

“We want to ensure that the Boating Vic website and app continue to meet the needs of the boaters and paddlers for both on-water safety and trip preparation – this is the path to safer boating.

“With the easing of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, now is the perfect time to ‘stay close, go further’ and explore new waterways across the state while supporting local businesses,” Ms Faldon added.

Visit boating.vic.gov.au or download the Boating Vic app.