A man will face court after a single boat crash in the state's north on weekend.
Just after 1.20pm today (Sunday 7 December 2025), emergency services were called to Tweed River, near the entrance of Jack Evans Boat Harbour, Tweed Heads, following reports a 14-metre-long houseboat had run ground after it crashed into the northern break wall of the river.
Officers attached to Tweed Heads Marine Area Command attended the scene, attached several tow lines to the vessel and successfully pulled the boat off the rocks and rescued a 45-year-old man.
The man was subjected to a breath test, which allegedly returned a positive result.
He was arrested and taken to Tweed Heads Police Station where he was subjected to a breath analysis and returned an alleged reading of 0.244.
The man was charged with operate recreational vessel negligently and operate vessel with high range PCA.
He was issued a court attendance notice to appear at Tweed Heads Local Court on Tuesday 27 January 2025.
Marine Area Commander Acting Superintendent Siobhan Munro says boat users often overlook marine safety issues while they are on the water.
"Driving a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a crime just like on our roads.
"Dangerous boat driving may harm others and as we have already seen this summer lives can be lost," Acting Superintendent Siobhan Munro says.
"Our message is clear. Do not drink alcohol when you drive a boat. The Marine Area Command regularly patrol all the States waterways conducting random drug and alcohol testing and anyone operating a vessel under the influence or in a dangerous manner will be brought before the court."
