The fine is the amount payable for breaching a safety requirement set by Maritime NSW on any day of the year.

But you are more likely to get nabbed this month as the marine authority turns its attention to spot checks and safety audits as part of operation Blue Water taking place across the State.

“It’s about bringing everyone’s attention back to safety,” Maritime NSW boating safety officer Matt Davis said.

Mr Davis said three factors undermined safety - not having the appropriate gear such as lifejackets or an emergency beacon, not having easy access to that gear and not keeping it in working order.

“People having out of date flares is my most common breach. Most people don’t even know how to read the expiry date,” he said.

Mr Davis performed an on-the-spot check for the Examiner and one conscientious boat owner had covered all his bases.

But he still needed a reminder of where to find the expiry date of his flares, which was written on the actual device.