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 FRIDAY: WIND - SE/NE10-15kts SEAS: 0.7 to 1.0m
SATURDAY: WIND - NE 10-15kts increasing to NE 15-20kts by late afternoon SEAS: 0.7 to 1.0m
SUNDAY: WIND - NE/N 15-20kts SEAS: 0.7m
*PLEASE NOTE: THAT WIND GUSTS CAN BE UP TO 40% STRONGER THAN THESE AVERAGES, AND THE MAXIMUM WAVE HEIGHT
MAY INCREASE UP TO TWICE THE HEIGHT OF THOSE SHOWN.
The waters off North Stradbroke Island offer the boating enthusiast an unsurpassed aquatic paradise. The Moreton Bay Marine Park is home to a diverse population of species,
including fish, sea birds and mammals. There is an incredible diversity of seasonal fish for the angler as well as mud crabs, blue swimmers and squid. Common varieties
of fish you can expect to find on the end of your line at different times of the year are mackerel, tuna, cobia, yellowtail kingfish, snapper, parrot and a host of reef fish.
See our Fishing Report to find out what is biting off Straddie and in Moreton Bay today and check out the Webcams for conditions on the water right now!
The channels are home to a decreasing population of dugong that feed on the seagrass beds and boat operators are advised to be aware of their presence and to go
slow around them to avoid hurting these gentle giants.
There are plenty of islands, beaches and reefs in the area to explore by boat and in the winter months you may be surprised to have a 14m Southern humpback whale
surface somewhere near by, and dolphins, rays and turtles are a regular sight alongside year round.
   
BE BOAT SAFE WITH THESE TIPS
*The majority of boating fatalities each year are caused by drowning. Why? People usually drown because they fail to wear a lifejacket. Remember that even if you are confident in your boating abilities, accidents can and do happen.
If you are in charge of a boat you are the skipper. That means that you take responsibility for its safe operation, mechanical and electrical maintenance, being weather wise, and carrying the right safety equipment, especially your lifejackets.
Lack of knowledge and experience of skippers is a major contributor to boating accidents. So ask yourself what you would do if:
*Your motor broke down well out at sea in worsening weather conditions and your boat began taking water
*Your boat capsized and nobody was wearing a life jacket
*Fire broke out onboard and there was no extinguisher
*Your child was badly burned and needed urgent medical attention
As skipper you are responsible in instances like these. It is your duty of care to protect yourself and the lives of those on board your boat. To maximise your chances of survival on the water, you need to know WHEN, WHERE & HOW...
Know WHEN to use your safety equipment
Know WHERE it is stowed
Know HOW to use it
Do not wait for an emergency to put on your lifejacket - it is important to remember that conditions on the water can change rapidly and unpredictably.
In general you should wear your lifejacket when:
*Boating in poor weather conditions
*Crossing a coastal bar where there is a higher risk of capsize or swamping - It is a legal requirement to wear a PFD when crossing a coastal bar!
*Travelling at night
*When a squall or storm approaches
*If you have children or poor swimmers on board you should ensure they are wearing a lifejacket at all times. Ensure that each person has a jacket of appropriate size and type.
*BE PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED - THINK ABOUT ALL OF YOUR SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
*EPIRB AND FLARES - Be sure your EPIRB is only activated as a last resort and used only when you are in imminent danger i.e. you had to abandon your boat and you are floating in the water. Flares should only be used to attract attention when other boats or planes are in the area.
*SIGNALLING DEVICES - If you get into difficulty your signalling device can indicate that you need help, mark your position for other boats and assist in avoiding collisions
at night or in poor light and weather.
*V-SHEET - Displaying your V-Sheet is your first indication of distress. You should display your V-Sheet immediately when you need help, regardless of whether other boats are nearby.
*MARINE RADIO - Have your emergency radio frequencies written down, preferably close to your radio. Responsible skippers log on to the local marine station before they go boating. When you log on, do not forget to log off when you return.
*FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT - Should be used immediately, even if the fire is small. Do not rely on water to put fires out.
*BILGE PUMP / BAILER - If water comes into your boat you need to get it out - think about worse case scenarios and be prepared.
*ANCHOR - You may depend on your anchor to stop your boat drifting or washing into breakers, rocks and reefs. Check that your anchor is the correct type for the seabed that you will be operating in.
*AS SKIPPER OF YOUR BOAT, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE ON BOARD KNOWS WHERE YOUR SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS AND HOW TO USE IT!
For more information go to www.anzsbeg.org.au
  
*PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES / LIFE JACKETS SHOULD BE WORN AT ALL TIMES - Everyone in open boats under 4.8 metres, while crossing a coastal bar, now must be wearing a life jacket. A fine of $150 applies! For more information go to www.msq.qld.gov.au
REMEMBER - IT IS NOT A LIFE SAVER IF YOU ARE NOT WEARING IT!
*GO EASY ON THE DRINK! Waves, wind and weather multiply the effects of alcohol. One third of boating fatalities invove alcohol - so don't multiply the risks.
*KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM WHALES - You must stay at a distance of at least 300m from any whale and 500m from Migaloo the white whale.
*BE CAREFUL WITH OIL AND CHEMICALS - ALL OF THESE ARE TOXIC TO TO MARINE AND HUMAN LIFE AND ALL ARE POLLUTANTS THAT HARM THE ENVIRONMENT!
*POLLUTING OUR WATERWAYS IS AN OFFENCE AND SEVERE PENALTIES APPLY - UP TO $262,000 FOR AN INDIVIDUAL AND $1,312,500 FOR A CORPORATION.
IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY DISCHARGE OIL OR CHEMICALS INTO THE WATER, CALL YOUR REGIONAL HARBOUR MASTER, MARINA OPERATOR OR PORT AUTHORITY SO
THAT IT MAY BE CLEANED UP PROMPTLY!
  
* A Voice Recording of All Moreton Bay Boating Information can be obtained by calling 1900 926 115 Bureau of Meteorology |
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