Safe Transport Victoria is urging boaters to do simple pre-season vessel checks, after new figures revealed vessel disablements account for 78 per cent of all reported maritime incidents.
Most breakdowns come down to basic maintenance — engine failure or simply running out of fuel — with incidents peaking in summer when more people are on the water. There were 1,304 reported maritime incidents in the 2024/25 year, with vessel disablement the most common cause.
Safe Transport Victoria’s annual Back to Basics program helps boaters avoid breakdowns with pre-season checklists and expert advice to ensure their vessels are in tip-top condition.
Owners of boats and jet skis can download the checklists from Safe Transport Victoria’s website and use them to ‘tick off’ essential checks and safety items to ensure their vessels are ready for the water. The safety regulator also urged Victorians to carry enough fuel to get to their destination and back, with a third held in reserve.
Kayaks and paddleboards are looked after with a separate checklist tailored for non-powered watercraft.
The Back to Basics program also promotes lifejackets as an essential safety item that all boaters must remember, no matter what type of vessel they have. Boaters need to carry the right kind of lifejacket for their boating activity, and if using an inflatable lifejacket, to ensure it is maintained and can be relied on in an emergency.
The easiest way for boaters to find the right lifejacket and know when they are required to wear it is by checking Safe Transport Victoria’s website.
Learn more about Back to Basics at: https://safetransport.vic.gov.au/back-to-basics/