Lake Eppalock boaters warned of hidden dangers as water levels drop

The call came on Friday as authorities set up an information stand at the busy Kimbolton boat ramp to warn boaters, jet skiers and others about the risks of not preparing for emergencies.

The lake’s Coast Guard has rescued three power boats stuck in six inches of water near to the Kimbolton Kiosk over the past six months months alone, Flotilla Commander Colin Ritchens said.

"They have hit the bar at full power. We have had to go out there and pull them out," he said.

Staying safe was paramount at the lake, Flotilla Commander Ritchens said, especially when water levels could change dramatically from year to year.

This year they have dropped substantially to 49.5 per cent, creating new islands and inlets to challenge rescuers, he said.

Related: ‘A majority’ of Lake Eppalock jet skiers are not operating safely, the Coast Guard say

In worst case scenarios it could take hours to find people lost on the lake.

"We had a jet ski breakdown on one of the rivers that feed the lake, we weren't sure which one. We got the call at about five o'clock and we didn't retrieve them until 11 o'clock that night," Flotilla Commander Ritchens said.

"We simply could not find them. They could not indicate where they were and how far they had gone. 

“It took another hour and a half to get back with the jet ski in tow.

"That's how difficult it is."

New hazard signage around the lake would help lost souls tell rescuers their whereabouts, Flotilla Commander Ritchens said, but Eppalock had one of the most intricate, winding shorelines in central Victoria.

Related: Warning of river, creek and dam swimming dangers after spate of drownings

Water skiers needed to beware of undergrowth near the shoreline, he said, which had appeared when water levels dropped during the Millennium Drought.

Friday’s information stall was organised and manned by representatives from the Coast Guard, Goulburn Murray Water and Maritime Safety Victoria.

GMW recreation and land operations officer Chris Braden said it was important people not only prepare for emergencies, but also tell people where they were headed.

"It's no good saying 'I'm heading out to Lake Eppalock'. Ideally you would say 'I'm launching at the Kimbolton boat ramp and I will be in the Kimbolton pool area'," he said.

MSV education project officer Phil Hughes said people were wandering down on Friday to ask questions they normally would not have answered when out and about.

Many people were asking about maintenance of inflatable life jackets and emergency beacons, Mr Hughes said.

He was using conversations with boaters to introduce a new MSV campaign around boat safety, which focused on five key points that would help people in an emergency:

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