NSW Maritime donates hundreds of Lifejackets

by Neil Patchett on 17 Nov 2010 NSW Maritime today joined with the Boating Industry Association to present hundreds of inflatable type lifejackets to people who are teaching and inspiring others to be safe and responsible on our waterways.

NSW Maritime Chief Executive Steve Dunn joined with Boating Industry Association General Manager Roy Privett to hand over 400 inflatable lifejackets to be used by instructors in boating safety.

Mr Dunn said 200 lifejackets were to go to the Marine Teachers Association of NSW and another 200 would go to Yachting NSW boating instructors.

'NSW Maritime is proud to be part of this program to support our partners in safety, the Marine Teachers and Yachting NSW instructors,' he said.

'The Marine Teachers and Yachting instructors provide an excellent service to the community through education and promotion of safe and responsible boating. They are role models in safety to our future generations of boaters.

Boating Industry Associations General Manager Roy Privett said the inflatable type lifejackets meant the Marine Teachers and Yachting NSW instructors would lead by example.

'With almost 500,000 boat licence holders in NSW, it is important for all skippers to make sure they have a lifejacket on board for every person, and to know when to wear them,' Mr Privett said.

'Boating is one of Australia’s favourite family pastimes and knowing some simple rules gives skippers peace of mind, and also helps ensure that their crew are in good hands.'

NSW Maritime’s Mr Dunn said the gift was part of a broader effort to raise awareness of the new lifejacket rules than came into effect on 1 November.

'This is one way to raise awareness of the new lifejacket laws, especially the need to wear lifejackets at times of heightened risk such as boating alone or boating offshore,

'Lifejackets save lives, and this is all about encouraging a culture of safe and responsible boating.'

The 400 inflatable type one lifejackets have a retail value of approximately $30,000.

For more details on lifejackets and boating safety go to the NSW Maritime website - http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/