Originally published: Marine Business News, 23 September 2026
Ahead of World Rivers Day on Sunday 27 September, GME is encouraging Australians to recognise the hidden risks associated with rivers and make emergency communication part of their preparation.
Rivers are central to boating, fishing and outdoor recreation across Australia, but their often-calm appearance can conceal conditions capable of placing even experienced water users at risk.
Strong currents, sudden changes in depth, submerged debris and unstable banks are among the hazards that may be difficult to identify from the surface. In regional and remote areas, limited mobile coverage, difficult access and longer emergency-response times can further increase the consequences when something goes wrong.
The latest National Drowning Report records 313 drowning deaths across Australia during 2025–26. Of these, 68 occurred in rivers and creeks, making them one of the country’s leading locations for fatal drowning. While this represented a welcome reduction from the 99 river and creek deaths recorded in 2024–25, the figures reinforce the need for continued education and preparation.
Research commissioned by GME in conjunction with Pureprofile also points to gaps in Australians’ preparedness for emergencies on the water. The September 2025 survey of more than 1,000 Australians found that fewer than one in three respondents felt confident they could rescue themselves in a water emergency, while 76 per cent believed they would panic.
