Eppalock boaters fined in no-go zone

Tuesday 21 December, 2021

Eppalock boaters finedMaritime Safety Victoria (MSV) recently fined two boat operators after Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) cameras spotted them in a prohibited zone at Lake Eppalock.

The boat operators (pictured right), believed to be aged in their 40s or 50s, were recorded in their fishing vessels in Tower Bay on October 31, 2021, which is one of several vessel prohibited zones at the waterway.

The men were each fined $363.48 for operating a vessel in a prohibited area of water.

Aids to navigation, including foreshore beacons and on-water buoys, are used to define waterway zones at GMW storages.

Waterway zones are detailed on Boating Safety Information signs at public boat ramps at GMW storages and include up-to-date changes to local rules.

GMW Recreation and Land Officer Chris Braden said people should familiarise themselves with the rules before taking their vessel onto the water.

“All zones are determined for safety reasons and serve to ensure the safety of other recreation users or the boat operators themselves, as well as valuable assets,” he said.

“It is the obligation of the master of a vessel to know the zoning rules before they take to the water.

“GMW has BSI signs at all its storages with the current zoning rules on them, and people can also view the rules on the MSV website.”

For more information on boating safety rules, visit transportsafety.vic.gov.au/maritime-safety