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Water Wise For A Safe SummerBass Coast Shire Council is urging all residents and visitors to take care in the water this summer. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 11th December 2009 - Back to News Community Safety Manager, Peter Laydon, said the arrival of the warmer weather meant there were more people enjoying the water.
"We do have some beautiful beaches and inlets here in Bass Coast, but they need to be treated with respect," said Mr Laydon.
"The sea can be dangerous and unpredictable and people need to be sensible and responsible when they are fishing, swimming or boating.
"Even if you know the area, it is very easy to get into trouble. Just last week, a man nearly drowned after being swept off rocks near San Remo.
"Our message to everyone is ‘Enjoy it, don’t spoil it’. By keeping yourself safe and respecting the people and places around you, we can all enjoy a great summer season.
Swimming and beaches
"It is always safest to swim at a patrolled beach," advised Mr Laydon.
"Many of our beaches have big surf and rips, which can be extremely treacherous for swimmers.
"Anderson Inlet is particularly dangerous this year, with deep channels close to shore and a sandbar at the entrance," continued Mr Laydon.
"There will be life guards on duty at Cowes, Smiths Beach, Cape Woolamai, Cape Paterson and Inverloch from late December and these patrols will go through until late January.
"We recommend everyone swims at a patrolled beach between the flags!"
Boating and Jet Skis
"Anyone planning a day on the water needs to be aware of local conditions and follow the rules for water vehicles," advised Mr Laydon.
"There will be police patrolling our water ways this summer and they will fine any boat owners or jet ski riders who break the rules.
"We also ask everyone using the local boat ramps to purchase a ticket and to have consideration for other people when parking their cars and trailers.
"Our Community Safety Rangers will be monitoring the boat ramps and the adjacent parking over the summer months."
Get set for a busy summer
The number of people visiting Bass Coast this summer is expected to exceed last year’s record breaking season.
"Council is working closely with the Police and other agencies to ensure that the arrival of visitors over summer doesn’t disrupt the local community too much," said Mr Laydon.
"But in reality, having three times as many people in our Shire does have an impact on the daily lives of the people who live and work here.
"Our advice to the community is to keep in mind that there will be more traffic on our roads and that it may take a little longer to get things done than normal.
"We always put out information around events and holidays, to give people an idea of what to expect on our roads, so that you can plan your trips accordingly."
Basic guidelines to help keep you safe in the water over summer.
· Always swim at patrolled beaches
· Always swim between the flags
· Do not swim alone
· Take a note of emergency numbers in the yellow triangle at major beaches. Quote this number in the case of an emergency, so you can be located quickly
· Be aware of currents and rips
· Do not take glass containers onto the beach, as broken glass can cause major injury and is a real safety concern on our beaches
Anyone planning a day on the water needs to be aware of local conditions and follow the rules for water vehicles.
· If you are going boating, be aware of the weather and tide conditions for the day. Ask a local
· Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return
· Obey all boating regulations, especially when near swimmers
· Boat drivers need a boating license and drink/driving limits apply, just as they do on land
· Jet ski riders must also follow boating regulations and should only do 5 knots when withinin 50m of swimmers or 200m from the shore
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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