Fines for 98 leisure craft, with hypothermia warning

9:21 PM Thu 24 Jun 2010 GMT

'Waiting in the water for rescue can be fraught with difficulties at this time of year' .

Minister for Ports and Waterways Paul McLeay says the chill in the air hadn't turned people off boating, but people in leisure craft needed to be aware of safety, and particularly hypothermia, at this time of year. 'Over the Queen's Birthday long weekend across the state, NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officers checked more than 1300 vessels and spoke to skippers about the hazards of cold water boating during Operation Cold Water,' Mr McLeay said. 'Just because the temperature has dropped, doesn't mean the water is any less beautiful, and in some cases it's more bountiful.' Mr McLeay said fines and ...

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by Neil Patchett, NSW Maritime