Hartbeespoort now has a law enforcement unit on the dam. The Hartbeespoort Maritime Law Enforcement Unit was appointed by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) as an initiative to ensure safety on the dam.
The unit, the first of its kind at Hartbeespoort Dam, started operating on the dam on 1 December and is headed by Arthur Crewe. “The aim of the unit is to enforce safe and legal boating. The unit will have the authority to check the credentials of skippers, boats and landing sites, issue infringements and detain water users if a crime is committed. The unit works closely with the police and will regularly have a police officer on the boat,” Crewe said. The unit is taking over day-to-day policing on the dam.
“We are not the fun police. We don’t want to spoil boaters’ fun, we are just here to ensure everyone’s safety on the water.”
Crewe said drug and alcohol abuse, as well as hooliganism, play a big role in accidents and boats needing rescue.
Some of the safety issues the unit will be looking at are illegal commercial boat operators, operating boats under the influence of alcohol and general adherence to requirements to operate a vessel on the dam.
“We will have special operations on the dam during the festive season in conjunction with police boats to ensure the safety of water users. We will do random safety checks on boats and equipment. We ask for the public’s cooperation and support to keep our dam safe.”
The unit will need the support of tourist destinations, businesses, estates and other stakeholders in this quest to keep the dam safe for residents and tourists alike.
For more information contact 083 703 7399, SAMSA 012 366 2634.
Recent Comments