THERE are more than 72,000 boats registered in Western Australia and every year there are about 1,800 rescues. To prevent marine emergencies and increase awareness of the many generally unforeseen hazards associated with the sea, most of WA's 33 marine rescue groups provide courses to improve boating safety.  For more information on these courses, contact FESA Volunteer Marine Rescue Services (VMRS) on +61 8 9479 9309.  Log on, log off Volunteer marine rescue groups also offer a voyage planning service, which allows recreational mariners to call in to a volunteer marine rescue group to record their: call sign or vessel name departure point and time intended destination trip intention number of people on board fuel supply expected time of return HELP KEEP YOUR FELLOW BOATIES SAFE Add this tag to craypot lines snagged by your fishing line and tackle. more

What to do in an emergency All mariners should also have a plan in case disaster strikes. Your plan may look like this: Make radio contact with the nearest volunteer marine rescue group and provide your vessel location;  nature of problem; and number of people on board. Ensure vessel security and crew safety. Provide medical aid where necessary. If able, set an anchor and have all crew don life jackets. If unable to use the radio: - and other vessels are nearby, discharge orange flares during daylight - if other vessels are nearby or you are within five kilometers of land, discharge red hand-held flare every 30 minutes - discharge parachute rocket flare when completely dark – discharge another one within one minute of the first being let off - if there is no response from the discharge of flares, switch on EPIRB and secure lanyard - prepare vessel and crew for possible overnight wait. For more information on marine safety, visit the Department for Planning and Infrastructure website.