People taking their boats out on NSW waterways over the long weekend might find themselves stopped by safety officers and quizzed about their knowledge of hypothermia.
Officers from the NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) will be patrolling state waterways as part of an annual campaign to raise awareness about the risks of developing the condition this winter and to ensure boats are properly equipped with safety equipment.
With wind temperatures expected to average about 10C in Sydney this Saturday and Sunday, boaters could be at risk of developing hypothermia from wind chill, boat capsizes or even from wearing wet clothing.
“Boaters should also be wary of using gumboots and waders as these make it difficult to swim should you fall into the water,” RMS general manager maritime operations Trevor Williams said in a statement.
On-the-spot fines will be handed out to ill-equipped boats, or those with the wrong type of safety equipment or not enough life jackets on board.
An RMS spokeswoman said officers could be patrolling any major waterway, including Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River.
“Wherever people go boating, they can expect to be randomly stopped for campaign reasons,” she said.
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