Call to be safe on the water

Water safety authorities are urging people to be safe around the Murray River this summer as part of the Respect the River campaign, especially following recent riverine flooding.

The Murray has been identified as the top river drowning black spot in NSW, with new Royal Life Saving research showing 43 people have drowned in the river in the past decade.

The new report from Royal Life Saving shows that between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2015, there were 14 drowning deaths in the Murray while boating or using watercraft.

Of those deaths, 93 per cent were males, with almost 50 per cent aged between 18 and 34 years.

Royal Life Saving Riverina regional manager Mick Dasey said in the Cobram-Barooga and Tocumwal areas, an additional concern this summer with the river was the effects from the recent floods.

‘‘The conditions of the river may have changed from what they were last year, so people need to be aware of that if they’re going out on the river,’’ he said.

‘‘With people boating or swimming, what they experienced last year on the river may be different to this year.

‘‘People need to be aware of submerged logs or debris. Even though it may look fine on the top, there could be a high risk of danger underneath.’’

Across New South Wales there have been 149 boating and watercraft deaths, which is 31 per cent of the Australian total.

On the Murray River, most boating-related deaths occurred in small powered boats less than 5 m, houseboats and paddle craft (canoes and kayaks), which each recorded 21 per cent of the total deaths.

Mr Dasey said it was also incredibly important for people to wear lifejackets.

‘‘Forty-two per cent of people who’ve drowned while using boats or crafts weren’t wearing life jackets,’’ he said.

‘‘If you can reverse that trend of not wearing lifejackets, you’ve reversed a lot of the drowning statistics.’’

Mr Dasey said while drinking and river activities were almost synonymous in Australian culture, he said people should limit risk-taking behaviours.

‘‘If you’re at the river, wait until you’ve finished the activity to have a drink, don’t mix the two together,’’ he said.

Alcohol was known to be involved in 21 per cent of boating and watercraft drowning deaths along the Murray River.

‘‘This summer we are asking the communities along the Murray River to follow four simple steps to reduce their drowning risk in rivers: wear a lifejacket, avoid drinking alcohol in and around water, never swim alone and learn how to save a life.

‘‘Rivers in the riverina are beautiful and can be great places to recreate, from boating to swimming to kayaking and even enjoying the environment along the river bank. We want everyone to enjoy these beautiful natural environments but to do so safely, by showing rivers the respect they deserve.’’