Operation Safety First will focus on compliance with boating laws relating to towing, speeding and wash.

Roads and Maritime Services executive director maritime, Angus Mitchell, said this time of year continues to be popular for water-skiing, wake boarding, knee boarding and tubing, so it was crucial safety came first for all involved.

“There are a few absolute basics when it comes to towing, such as always ensuring anyone being towed is wearing a lifejacket, the observer is fully aware of their responsibilities and, above all, the skipper is always responsible for all personnel,” Mr Mitchell said.

“The vessel must have a minimum crew of two – the person driving and an observer who sits facing the direction of the person being towed to provide any communication, via standard hand signals, about what is going on in the water to the driver.

“The observer also tells the driver about other vessels approaching from behind. The observer must be at least 16 years old and appropriately qualified, as the holder of a boat or personal watercraft licence.”

Mr Mitchell said it was illegal to tow more than three people and it was crucial to observe all safe distances from other vessels, structures such as bridges, piers and the shore, and most importantly, people who are swimming, diving or snorkelling.

“Breaches of these regulations will result in on-the-spot fines,” he said.

“Boating safety officers will also be on the look out for boaties who are speeding or whose wash is having a negative impact on other waterway users.”

The operation starts this Saturday, February 17, and continues until sundown on Sunday, February 25.