Photographs provided by Energex
By Alistair Gray
Careless boaties and fishers are regularly ignoring large Energex warning signs and fishing too close to the Bribie Bridge where an Energex power cable lies parallel to the bridge. Instead of catching fish, their anchors are hooking onto the high voltage power cable, risking serious personal injury and potentially damaging the cable and affecting the Island's power supply. Recently, one larger boat pulled the cable right out of the water, requiring Energex divers to check the cable where they removed 28 anchors, along with chains and ropes tangled around it.
"It is clear boaties are unaware of the risks they are taking. Sometimes, the entanglement occurs when people drop the anchor directly above the cable, while others happen when boaties don't set the anchor properly. The vessel drifts with the anchor dragging. We urge boaties to look on either side of the bank for signs highlighting the underwater cable before dropping anchor. If there's a marked cable, move the vessel at least 200 metres either side before anchoring,” Energex Area Manager for Brisbane North Lawrence Hitchcock said.
If the worst happens and a boat anchor becomes snagged, Mr Hitchcock urged the captain to take serious care to prevent electrical shock and call for help.
"In the unfortunate event that your vessel becomes hooked on electrical infrastructure, it is crucial to maintain a safe distance from the part of the boat in contact with the cable. Immediately call Triple Zero or contact the VMR or coast guard," Mr Hitchcock said.
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