Police urge everyone planning on going onto the water in any type of vessel to be prepared and have the required safety equipment after what could have been a tragedy in Northern Tasmanian yesterday.
About 3.27pm police were notified of a person in a kayak who was in distress in the Tamar River between South George Town and Garden Island.
Marine police from George Town launched a vessel and a short time later located the man between Garden Island and Clarence Point.
The 45 year old man from George Town had been paddling his kayak from Garden Island towards George Town when it began to take on water, having not been properly prepared. The kayak became caught in the current and was swept upriver towards Clarence Point.
The man, who was standing on his submerged kayak when located, was taken aboard the police vessel, and the kayak was towed to shore. The man’s dog which had been with him in the kayak, was later collect after having paddled himself to shore. Neither sustained any injuries.
"Disappointingly the man was not wearing a life jacket, and as a result will be issued an infringement notice for that offence," said Inspector Michael Johnson, Tasmania Police say.
"We again implore all members of the community to be safety conscious when going onto the water in any type of vessel.
"This incident could have ended in tragedy, which could easily have been avoided.
"The laws are about keeping us all safe. Ensure that the vessel is safe, that you’ve checked the weather forecast, that all the required safety equipment is on board, and that you wear a life jacket at all times."
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