00:00Western Australian maritime officers are on the front line of keeping the state's waters safe.
00:08Water Police Base, Water Police Base, PV1.
00:11As part of an overhaul of WA's maritime laws, they were recently given the power to conduct on-water alcohol and drug testing.
00:18When those things hopefully don't occur too often, but when they do occur, a much better opportunity to get justice.
00:25But only 29 tests have been conducted since the changes were introduced in November.
00:3129 does seem like a low number. This program is building up, so we'll give them some time at the moment.
00:36But with summer looming, we need to know the department are on top of this.
00:40Of those 29 tests, 11 or more than a third identified a skipper over the legal limit.
00:46Three infringements have been issued. The others are being prepared to go through the courts.
00:51The transport department says officers aren't doing random breath testing.
00:54They're instead focused on skippers they suspect of being under the influence.
00:58In a statement, they said skippers can expect to see more officers out on the water over the summer months.
01:04It is important that the government use that money that has been invested in this program wisely
01:08and make sure West Australians can be safe on our water.
01:11I think we just don't hear as much about drowning and boating related incidents as we do on the road
01:16and so people might have that perception that the risk is lower on the water
01:20when in fact we could argue it's probably higher.
01:22Dr Amy Pedden researches injury and drowning prevention
01:25and says education and legislation can help change attitudes.
01:30It's all well and good to have this legislation. We do need to be out there enforcing it
01:33to make sure that people aren't drinking and operating their vessels.
01:36That enforcement is expected to expand into regional areas from later this year.
01:41...
01:54Two towns
01:58...
02:01It...
02:05Ahh
Comments