Boaties have been warned to check batteries and radio equipment before hitting the bay for a spot of winter fishing over the school holidays.
The warning came from Capalaba store Battery World, where an informal survey across the chain's 92 stores found between 30 and 50 per cent of rescues form the Coast Guard and Volunteer Marine Rescue services were for flat batteries.
Battery World Capalaba's Steve Minter said hundreds of boaties were surveyed when they came in to the store to buy new batteries.
“We have people come into the store who have their family packed and ready to go out for the day – get the boat off the trailer into the water and their plans are ruined because the boat won’t start," he said.
"They confirmed many marine enthusiasts rarely thought about their battery maintenance until there was a problem.
“Neglecting the battery between trips and not using a marine specific battery are the two biggest problems.
"Today’s fishers and boaties are running a lot of gadgets – charging their phone, running a fridge or playing music through a speaker and all are connected to the battery."
Mr Minter said irregular use of trailer boats was also an issue and many forgot when they last took out the boat.,
He said batteries deteoriated through lack of use and said some electrical engines, if not disconnected, drained batteries.
Wellington Point boating enthusiast James McManaway knows the scenario and remembers how awful he felt when he needed to be rescued when his boat wouldn’t start after a day fishing on Moreton Bay.
"You can’t get a push on the water," he said. “It’s not like you can wave down a passing car on a busy highway.
"There could be little or no marine traffic where you are and the weather can change and suddenly you are in a life-threatening situation.
"I always fire the boat up in the yard first to make sure it is good to go. If it doesn’t start it can wreck the whole day and I never want to break down on the water again."
Battery World offers free battery checks for both automotive and marine batteries. Steve is planning to set up at local boat ramps on weekends in coming months offering a free battery check service to boaties heading out for the day.
