NORBERT Gross has one message he wishes to deliver to anyone planning on hitting the water this festive season - check your boat and equipment.

"(In particular), people who are going on holidays and using their boats for the first time this year, which have old fuel and flat batteries,” he said.

"We try to encourage everyone to ensure their boats are in the best possible condition before going out.”

In the case of an emergency, Mr Gross encouraged everyone heading out to let someone know where they expect to go and when they are expected back.

"Information like the name of your boat, boat registration and registration of trailer are all handy in the case of an emergency.”

Mr Gross said people needed to be particularly wary of life jackets.

"A lot of people put life jackets on the boat but never wear them,” he said.

"What's been happening is some of the life jackets have been purchased and straps are perishing where they're stored and when people put them on, they fall apart in their hands.”

Mr Gross said with inflatable life jackets, it was important not to pre-inflate them as the gases mixed with a person's breath could cause the jacket to burst when the toggle was pulled.

VMR Whitsunday is offering a special half-price Christmas deal for new members, which expires today. Getting caught without a VMR membership can be extremely costly and they are encouraging all boaties to sign up now to avoid any problems later.

The memberships can be purchased online for $45 ($30 for pensioners) at vmrwhitsundays.com.au.