NSW launches lifejacket campaign to lessen fatalities and save lives

by Neil Patchett on 1 Dec 2012 The Minister for Roads and Ports, Duncan Gay, is pushing for the use of lifejackets in any water activity in response to the increasing number of boating incidents in New South Wales. NSW reported 10 fatalities on the water since July, prompting authorities to launch a new safety campaign to save more lives.

Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay today launched a new water safety campaign to bring down the rising number of boating fatalities in NSW.

Mr. Gay said there has been a spike in fatalities on the State’s coastline and waterways, with 10 people killed on the water since July this year.

'Sadly, I’m confident many of these people would still be alive today if they were wearing lifejackets,' Mr. Gay said.

'No one expects to fall in the water and get separated from their vessel. No one expects that years of swimming experience will be rendered useless if they slip and hit their head or fall in the water fully clothed.

'A ten year report into Boating Incidents shows 167 people lost their lives in the ten years to June 2012.

'It’s disturbing that 93 per cent of people who died on NSW waterways weren’t wearing a lifejacket, especially given the most common types of recreational vessel fatal incidents involved vessels capsizing and people falling overboard.

'Before you set foot on the deck of a boat, go fishing from a tinny or some rocks, or get on another vessel like a jetski or a windsurfer, we want you to put on a lifejacket.

'A lifejacket never ruined a day on the water – that’s the message of the campaign that will be running intensively over this summer period and in 2013.

'We want people boating to have fun, and to reinforce the message we’ll be giving out some great tickets to the summer cricket as an incentive.

'Boating safety officers carrying out random safety checks of recreational vessels will be giving away tickets to the New Year’s Test match and the One Day Series matches at the SCG as well NSW SpeedBlitz Blues cricket matches to everyone on board if they are all wearing lifejackets.

'It’s no good just having them stored away on your boat, where they are useless in an emergency. Make sure they are in good condition and the right type for your activity,' Mr Gay said.

For more information visit Life Jacket Wear it. The report is available at Boating Reports