One in three Murray boats unsafe

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About one third of boats recently checked on the River Murray were unsafe.

Director of Transport Safety Regulation Brian Hemming says there is no excuse for boats failing to meet safety criteria.

Mr Hemming says commonly-missing safety items included fire extinguishers, life jackets, bilge pumps and oars.

He says he cannot understand why people would risk death or injury by not having the right equipment.

"We've been very concerned about some of the risks that people are taking, we coined the phrase earlier this year that it would seem a lot of people are more prepared to take on fishing activity than they are to look after their own safety," he said.

"They've got all the latest electronic devices to locate fish and all the latest fishing equipment, but when it comes to safety equipment it's not up to the safe standard."