Snowy Mountains Trout Festival – Anglers alerted to new lifejacket law

by Penny Robins on 29 Oct 2010 Anglers in this year's Snowy Mountains Trout Festival are reminded that new lifejacket laws apply if they're fishing from a boat less than 4.8 meters in length.

Boaters should be aware of the new laws coming into affect on 1 November which aim to promote safe boating across the State, especially in the alpine lakes where weather conditions can deteriorate quickly and where the water can be icy cold well into summer.

NSW Maritime boating safety officers would be conducting a safety campaign during the festival in conjunction with Fisheries Officers and volunteers from Marine Rescue NSW, and is urging boaters to make sure they:

- have all their safety equipment checked and on board,
-make sure their navigation lights are working if on the water before sunrise or after sunset, and
-keep to a safe speed for the conditions.

NSW Maritime will patrol the area to raise awareness of the new lifejacket rules, which include the requirement to wear a lifejacket at all times when on a boat less than 4.8 meters on an alpine lake.

The new lifejacket laws take effect from Monday 1 November and mean all boaters on alpine waters in a vessel less than 4.8 metres must wear either a type one or a type two lifejacket.

Stricter rules apply to children under 12-years-old who must also wear a lifejacket when in the open area of a vessel less than eight metres when underway.

Boaters should take extra care on the waters of Lakes Eucumbene and Jindabyne because of rising water levels.

Changes in water levels mean some boulders may not be visible especially when you get close to shore, early in the morning, and in the evening.

Logs are being picked up from the shoreline as water levels rise and are now floating, often semi-submerged; a real hazard for all vessels.

Hypothermia is a risk even at this time of year the water up there is cold and people must dress appropriately. Waders are best avoided on a boat because they are near impossible to swim in, if waders are to be worn, wear a lifejacket.

The new Lake Eucumbene webcam can show boaters the lake conditions and more than 10,000 people have viewed it in the first four weeks since installation.

The Trout Festival runs until Friday 5 November.

For more information, go to www.maritime.nsw.gov.au