NSW Maritime staff will be cruising the Port's waterways during the long weekend as part of a statewide safety compliance blitz called Operation Be Prepared.

Maritime safety authorities will have 'zero tolerance' to boating safety breaches including failing to wear or carry lifejackets, speeding, unsafe towing activities and personal watercraft offences for the next three months.

NSW Maritime's general manager of operations and compliance, Chris Doolin, said authorities are taking a zero tolerance approach in a bid to drive down unsafe behaviour and save lives on NSW waterways.

"One death on any NSW waterway is too many. Since July 1, six people have unfortunately died on our waters with poorly maintained lifejackets or a lack of wearing lifejackets the contributing factor," he said.

Mr Doolin said Operation Be Prepared will involve checks by Boating Safety Officers of recreational boaters on NSW waterways to ensure they are carrying the required safety equipment, including lifejackets, on board.

"The October long weekend marks the start of the summer boating season. It is an opportunity for boaties to hit the waterways and make sure they have the appropriate equipment on board," he said.

"While a good number of people have continued to boat through the winter months, particularly with COVID-19 keeping people close to home, there is always a group of boaters who pack their vessels away in April and head out for the first time in October.

"We want to make sure they are doing this safely and following the relevant boating laws which exist to keep us all safe while on the water.

"Carrying, maintaining and checking equipment such as EPIRBs, flares and torches and ensuring that inflatable lifejackets have been serviced within the last twelve months or according to manufacturer's requirements. They need to be in good working order and appropriately sized for everyone on board in order to save lives when they're needed."

Boaters are also reminded to tell someone where they're going and when they will be back and to log on and off with Marine Rescue.

The free Marine Rescue app makes logging on quick and easy.

Operation Be Prepared will conclude at sundown on Monday, October 5.

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