A report from Maritime Safety Queensland has revealed an alarming 17 people died in boating related incidents in 2020, the highest number of fatalities on the water in the past 20 years.
The 2020 Marine Incidents in Queensland report said 10 of the fatalities were in the Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast regions, with 197 incidents reported in those areas from a total of 339 across the state.
Ninety-four people were injured in the Brisbane, Gold and Sunshine Coast regions, and 22 were admitted to hospital.
Across the state, 33 incidents involved people falling overboard, more than in any other year of the last ten, and 14 of these were fatal.
Two of the people who drowned or are presumed to have drowned were known to be wearing life jackets at the time.
A string of fatalities in Moreton Bay over recent months prompted police to issue a warning to both amateur and experienced boaties heading out on the water.
Redland Bay Officer in charge water police Sergeant Paul Ryan said having functioning, up to date safety equipment and being prepared for anything was crucial to saving lives on Moreton Bay waters.
"People going out need to make sure they have life jackets, flares, navigation lights on, make sure all the safety gear is current and that everyone on the vessel can access it," he said.
Sergeant Ryan said there was no shortage of resources and people should check the weather conditions before heading out.
"It might be calm where they're coming from, but weather in the water can be very different," Mr Ryan said.
"If you don't have much knowledge of the area, ask someone who does and let people know where you're going then update them if you change your plans so we know where to look if something does go wrong."
In June, a search and rescue operation was launched for a Norwegian diver who failed to resurface off North Stradbroke Island.
In the same month rescue crews found the body of a woman who drowned after the boat she and her husband were fishing from capsized near Mud Island in strong swells.
In May a search was called for Jordan Kelly, 26, after he failed to return from a mid morning surf ski expedition from Dunwich to Cylinder Beach. The search was suspended after four days.
At the same time, two jet ski riders became stranded, suffering hypothermia on mud flats on Russell Island after their ski broke down.
And in April a major search operation was established for boatie Trent Riley, 26, but it was called off after two weeks.
Emily Lowe
Redland City Bulletin journalist covering community, politics, crime and human interest stories. Griffith University Alumni.
Redland City Bulletin journalist covering community, politics, crime and human interest stories. Griffith University Alumni.
