Recreational boating ‘not essential’

Boat ramps and jetties across the state will be closed to keep everyone safe and help slow the spread of Covid-19.

By Mitchell Clarke

Boat ramps and jetties across the state will be closed to keep everyone safe and help slow the spread of Covid-19.

The Department of Transport announced the closure of all boat ramps, piers, jetties, and other marine infrastructure from Wednesday 8 April.

The closure is in line with current Stage 3 restrictions which have been enacted across the state.

There are only four reasons to be out in public: shopping for essentials, medical or medical caregiving, exercise in compliance with public gathering requirements and work and study – if essential.

The Department’s head of transport services Jeroen Weimar said permitted activities under Stage 3 did not include recreational boating.

“Recreational boating is not an essential activity – I urge everyone to stay home and keep off the water to keep everyone safe,” Mr Weimar said

Recreational boating includes all forms of human powered boating, including canoeing, kayaking, surf skiing, stand up paddle boarding and rowing, all forms of powered boating such as jet skiing, and all forms of wind powered boating – yachting, kitesurfing and windsurfing.

Commercial shipping, commercial boating, land, port and waterway management functions and emergency access are exempt from these restrictions.

Mr Weimar said that anyone who chose to head out on the water was putting themselves and others at risk.

“Not only through the potential spread of coronavirus, but the additional pressure placed on emergency services and search and rescue volunteers,” he explained.

“I know this is hard, but all of us can help slow the spread of coronavirus.”

Authorised officers will speak to people they see out on the water and recommend they head home.