Paddle safety initiatives ramp up

by Transport Media on 1 Aug 2013 Transport for NSW’s Office of Boating Safety and Maritime Affairs (OBSMA) is ramping up its efforts to promote a nationwide paddle safety campaign, with an increasing amount of canoers and kayakers hitting the water each year.

OBSMA has teamed up with the Boating Industry Association and Paddle NSW to produce an eye catching Paddle Safe education display at this year’s Sydney International Boat Show.

General Manager, Office of Boating Safety & Maritime Affairs Howard Glenn said that safe, responsible and enjoyable paddling will be a major focus for boating in 2013/14.

'Paddle NSW estimates there are 70,000 canoers and kayakers in NSW and that numbers are on the rise,' Mr Glenn said.

'We will have a dedicated paddle safe exhibit showing off a range of different paddle crafts, safety gear, including lifejackets to suit this particularly physical boating activity.

'Together with safety educational materials on DVD, brochures, and stickers, there will also be an online safety competition,' Mr Glenn said.

'Anyone who visits our display will have a chance of winning a brand new paddle craft which could be either an intermediate kayak, stand up paddleboard or a dedicated fishing kayak.'

Mr Glenn said that the competition was designed as a way to interact and engage with enthusiasts.

'The competition, starting today and running until 31 August, will be run online at boatforlife.com.au/paddle-safe,' Mr Glenn said.

'Anyone who visits us at the show can enter via the iPads provided or you can enter online in your own time. All you have to do is fill in some basic details and correctly answer some multiple choice questions for your chance to win.'

Mr Glenn said that Paddle Safe was supported by a range of boating stakeholders and designed to promote safe and responsible paddling by encouraging awareness of safety issues such as:

- Wearing a lifejacket
- Ensuring the craft is suitable for the conditions
- Telling someone where you are going and time of return
- Keeping to the shorelines where possible
- Keeping to the right side of the waterway
- not crossing in front of larger vessels
- Being seen by others, show high viz colours by day
- Showing an appropriate light if paddling between sunset and sunrise
- Keeping a proper lookout at all times

Paddle Safe is part of a safety promotion adopted by government authorities across Australia and New Zealand. More information on Paddle Safe is available at http://boatforlife.com.au/

The Sydney International Boat Show runs from first-five August and will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre seven Cockle Bay Marina, Darling Harbour.