mmg.com.au

Boaters are being urged to take safety precautions after a recent incident on Lake Eppalock.

Lake Eppalock Coast Guard commander Andy Reaburn said visitors to the lake should make sure they have a good map or GPS and must carry adequate drinking water.

Mr Reaburn said the coast guard was alerted in the late afternoon on February 9 that a jet-ski had broken down in the area between Kimbolton Pool and Metcalfe Pool, sparking a four-and-a-half-hour search.

Poor mobile phone reception hampered search efforts and contact with the missing vessel was fragmented, eventually dropping out altogether, he said.

After a thorough search of the area, including the entrance to the Campaspe River, the distressed rider was finally found about 7km down the Coliban River after he had walked away from his jet-ski in an attempt to find some form of habitation, Mr Reaburn said.

The Lake Eppalock Coast Guard is trying to raise money to buy a tower which would help remove dead reception areas from the lake.