Police target booze boats
GOLD Coast police are urging boaties to keep their distance from swimmers this Australia Day as thousands of revellers are expected to descend on the city’s beaches and waterways.
Authorities are bracing for a huge long weekend with mostly sunny skies and warmer than average 30C temperatures expected on the Glitter Strip.
Waterpolice officer-incharge Acting Senior Sergeant Tony Nelson said additional forces had been called in to watch over the hordes as they hit the water less than a week after a woman was seriously injured after being struck by a boat’s propeller.
“We’ll be paying close attention to the proximity of vessels to people in the water,” Sen Sgt Nelson said.
“There will also be a lot of attention paid to liquor and behaviour.
“The tragic incident on Saturday once again highlights the dangers around vessels.”
Gold Coast Inspector Greg Baade said police would take a zero tolerance approach to public drinking this weekend.
“In previous years we’ve taken a zero tolerance in relation (to drinking in public outside licensed establishments) and people can be issued with an on the spot fines of $126,” Insp Baade said.
“Australia Day is not about people getting drunk and acting in an unruly way. (It’s) about the nation coming together and celebrating what we’ve achieved as a nation, but also enjoying the environment, particularly the one we have here on the Gold Coast.”
Weatherzone forecaster Graeme Brittain said he expected warm conditions over the weekend with 30C forecast for the coast, temperatures up to 35C expected across inland suburb and the chance of a storm on Saturday.
Volunteer surf lifesavers are on high-alert across the Gold Coast almost exactly a month after the drowning death of a man off Duranbah beach on Christmas Day last year.
Surf Life Saving Australia boss Melissa King urged swimmers to keep between the red and yellow flags after 34 people have died off the coast so far this summer, which is three more deaths than the same period last year.
“With so many coastal drowning deaths occurring our surf lifesavers and lifeguards need your help in ensuring no drowning deaths occur this long weekend,” Ms King said.
She said alcohol and water did not mix.
“Alcohol impairs your judgment and can encourage risk taking behaviour, as well as altering co-ordination and reaction time,” Ms King said.