Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Compulsory lifejackets would 'change boating behaviour' - Maritime NZ

by Maritime New Zealand/Sail-World Cruising on 8 Oct 2013
The message is simple: Life jackets save lives BoatUS Press Room
Maritime New Zealand believes a bid to make the wearing of lifejackets compulsory for young people would change boating behaviour, but it would only apply to boats less than six metres.

A private member's bill submitted by National MP Peseta Sam Lotu-liga last month aims to make the wearing of life jackets compulsory for children under 15.

US Coast Guard Chief of Boating Safety Jeff Hoedt, who is in New Zealand to speak about water safety initiatives, said the legislation is similar to that used in the US.

'Our experience is that when you mandate something as the law, there is a high level of compliance,' he said.

'In the United States, we have very high wear rates for people under 13 – that compares with 21–22 percent for the whole population going out on the water.

'When you take the youth figures away from those for the whole population, the wear rates for adults alone drops to under 10 percent in the United States. Our advisory council has recommended making wearing lifejackets compulsory for all water users in vessels of less than 18 feet (6m) and we are now doing some research into that.'

Current MNZ-commissioned Research New Zealand data on boating activity in New Zealand indicates a high rate of carriage of lifejackets (between 88–95 percent, depending on boat type) but lower rates of lifejacket wearing. The wearing rate over all vessel types is 80 percent, but this drops to 56–58 percent for power boats and sail boats.

Current New Zealand legislation requires sufficient lifejackets to be carried on board boats.

But Maritime New Zealand Director Keith Manch said making the wearing of lifejackets compulsory for young people would help create more water-wise adults in the future.

'We believe everyone going out on the water should wear lifejackets. While this is particularly important at times of heightened risk, such as when crossing a bar, in rough weather, or for non-swimmers, accidents can happen at any time,' he said. 'Making lifejacket wearing compulsory for those under 15 would not only send a strong message to anyone responsible for the safety of young people on the water, but should instil in young people the need to be safe on the water. That is a message we hope they will hold on to as adults.

'The simple message is: lifejackets save lives.'
Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignRooster 2025Maritimo M600

Related Articles

Admiral's Cup 2025 | Interview with the CYCA Team
A highly experienced team for the revived Admiral's Cup regatta from July 17 The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is fielding a highly experienced team for the revived Admiral's Cup regatta that will be run from Cowes on the Isle of Wight in the UK, from 17th July 2025.
Posted on 1 Jul
Australian Hobie Cat Nationals entries rolling in
With at least three World Champions already entered, the racing is sure to be exciting too! There is excitement in the air for the Pitts Design and Construction 53rd Australian Hobie Cat National Championships.
Posted on 1 Jul
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais - Practice Day
Will Platoon Aviation's big breeze, big pressure experience prove key to their fourth world title? Of the three past and present world championship winning crews which completed their final practice today in typically muscular 25 knot breezes and big waves out of Cascais, Portugal it was Harm Müller-Spreer's Platoon Aviation which showed best today.
Posted on 1 Jul
Some thoughts on provisioning for distance sailing
A new perspective on provisioning and time spent at sea One of the great joys of distance racing unfurls the moment that the dock lines are untied. Suddenly, the myriad packing lists that inevitably define most trip-planning efforts become about as relevant as a tax return from eight years ago.
Posted on 1 Jul
LA28 sailing venue decision driven by politicians
The LA28 Olympic "dinghy" events will be sailed alongside a working container port. The decision to stage the Los Angeles "dinghy" events alongside a working container port appears to have been a determination by local politicians.
Posted on 1 Jul
Freestyle Pro Tour Paros day 3
The return of Super X Day 3 at the FPT Paros 2025 was a slower one - with a lay day with no wind anticipated and a late skippers meeting at 13:00 to assess the conditions, there wasn't much initially filling up the schedule.
Posted on 1 Jul
McIntyre Mini Globe Leg 2 update
The Mad Bastard may be right! When the 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race set off—the first solo, non-stop circumnavigation—many thought it impossible. But one sailor proved them wrong: Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, sailing his beloved Suhaili!
Posted on 1 Jul
Young Sailors Invited to the 2025 Fireball Worlds
A special discounted entry fee for eligible youth participants for the event at Lake Garda Circolo Vela Arco and Fireball International are inviting young sailors from around the world to take part in the 2025 Fireball World Championship at spectacular Lake Garda, with a special discounted entry fee for eligible youth participants.
Posted on 1 Jul
Australian Sailing welcomes new CEO
Malcolm Page OAM brings a wealth of experience to the role Australian Sailing is pleased to announce the appointment of respected sports administrator and dual Olympic gold medallist Malcolm Page OAM OLY as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Posted on 1 Jul
Jazz Turner completes Project FEAR
Drama right to the end in her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles Jazz Turner has completed Project FEAR, her non-stop, solo, unassisted navigation of the British Isles in her Albin 27 yacht. A flotilla of supporters met her in Seaford Bay, which grew and grew the closer they came to Brighton Marina.
Posted on 1 Jul