Skippers are being told to make weather a key consideration when deciding to go boating after a nearly 60 per cent increase in the number of on-water deaths in WA.
During the past ten years the average number of on-water deaths per year increased to 7.3, up on the previous ten-year average of 4.6 and analysis of incident investigation data showed weather was a key contributing factor to the recent rise in fatalities.
To give skippers a better understanding of weather information and support improved decision making, the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure (DTMI) today launched Weather or not, a five-year safety education campaign.
The objective of the new campaign is to promote weather as a key consideration when going boating and provide skippers with clear information including:
- the best sources for weather information;
- the different elements of weather and terminology used; and,
- what the weather means and if it’s safe to be on the water.
DTMI Waterways Safety Management Director Graeme Meinema said the first year of the campaign launched at this year’s Perth Boat Show focused on waves, seas and swell to address the incidence of capsize in WA waters in the last five years.
“There has been a concerning increase in capsize incidents, growing from 15 in 2022-23 to 31 in 2024-25 with four involving a fatality and the majority of incidents occurring in the North Metropolitan area,” Mr Meinema said.
“Every time a skipper heads to open water the forecast waves, seas and swell should be considered along with current warnings, wind direction and speed and changing tides. On the water they should also be aware that wave height can vary in every set, with some waves being considerably larger so a good lookout is essential especially near reefs.
“To make it easier for skippers and provide clear guidelines about the appropriate seas and swell for different craft sizes we have created a table that tells them if conditions are safe for their vessel.
“It is a simple, easy to use tool that has the potential to save lives on the water.”
Mr Meinema said the new campaign was designed to educate and empower skippers, helping them to make good decisions, keeping themselves and their passengers safe on the water.
He said it simply called on skippers to ‘Check weather or not you should be on the water’.
“We are using data to identify trends in boating behaviour where weather is a factor and over the next five years we will provide timely, targeted information to improve the knowledge of skippers to reduce weather related incident rates,” Mr Meinema said
To view the 'Weather or not' campaign and others visit https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/weather
Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au
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