Why do I need to wear it?
Lifejackets have been required for most vessels for some time but since 1 November 2010, wearing them has been a requirement in a number of heightened risk situations. Wearing them at all times is recommended.
This is because between 1 July 1999 and 1 December 2011, drownings have accounted for 67% of boating fatalities on NSW navigable waters. Only 15 of the 221 people killed in boating accidents in NSW in this period were wearing lifejackets.
Less than 5% of the people who drowned during that time wore a lifejacket. Many of these people could have survived, had they been wearing one. It has become apparent that while most people have lifejackets on board, if it’s not worn when things go wrong, it can't save you.
In an attempt to curb that trend, on 1 November 2010 NSW Maritime introduced new laws which require mandatory lifejacket wearing in a number of high risk situations, especially by people in small vessels and particularly children under 12 years.
These changes came about after a very extensive consultation with the boating community which saw over 86 per cent support for the proposed changes. More information on the consultation and its findings can be found at www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/wh/lifejacket_reforms.html
The new requirements were subject to a 12 month introductory education period in which only repeat offenders were issued with penalty notices.
However, in the 13 months after the new rules were introduced, there were another 17 fatal incidents resulting in 22 fatalities. Only three of these people were wearing a lifejacket.
From 1 November 2011 enforcement has been stepping up and if you’re breaking the rules you may pay the result.
