Cops leave safety event to rescue kayakers

Three kayakers whose vessel capsized in Victoria's Port Phillip Bay have been rescued even as emergency services were launching a boat safety campaign.

Water police were at a St Kilda press conference on Thursday when they received a call that the men were in trouble in choppy water off Aspendale, 20 kilometres away.

But before they could reach the kayakers, a passing boat picked up the trio and took them to shore. All three had not been wearing life jackets.

Ambulance Victoria said the men, aged in their early 20s, were uninjured.

Back in St Kilda, Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley was accompanied by rescue units from the Coast Guard and Transport Safety Victoria to encourage boat owners to stay safe on the water.

Volunteer rescue units respond to about 1000 call-outs each year for breakdowns, groundings, capsizes and people going overboard.

The Boating Industry Association of Victoria suggests before heading out people should:

* check water and weather forecasts;

* inspect the condition of their boats and complete any maintenance;

* remind themselves of the on-water rules; and

* double-check equipment and safety gear including life-jackets.