Boat owners and water users now have access to a new digital tool to help them choose the correct lifejacket for their boating or recreational activities.
The Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure’s (DTMI) Lifejacket Checker is a quick, easy to use, online guide designed to give skippers and others greater confidence when they are purchasing a lifejacket.
DTMI Director of Waterways Safety Management Graeme Meinema said a lifejacket could save a life but only if it was the correct type, size and fit for the activity, location and person wearing it.
“Safety compliance statistics show that 93 per cent of skippers meet the requirements for wearing and carriage of lifejackets and that is a fantastic result. However, there were still 710 cautions and infringements issued for noncompliance in WA last year and personal water craft (PWC) or Jetski riders accounted for 439 (62 per cent) of those which reinforces the need for further targeted education of operators to comply with marine laws and give safety higher priority,” Mr Meinema said.
“The new Lifejacket Checker asks users questions about the type of on-water activities they need a lifejacket for including powerboating, paddling, sailing or riding a PWC, also the area they will be navigating and then identifies the appropriate lifejacket at the required level.“It’s an easy, fast and effective way to ensure you make the right choice as a consumer, not only guaranteeing you are compliant with the law when you are on the water but also that your lifejacket is fit for purpose and will save your life in an emergency.”
In a registrable vessel carriage of lifejackets, meeting the standards, is required when more than 400 metres from shore in WA. Lifejackets must be worn in open waters on small vessels (less than 4.8 metres) or if you are aged between one and 12 years. All people on board a PWC must wear a lifejacket (minimum level 50s) at all times, in all navigable waters.
Mr Meinema said responsible skippers and water users should regularly check their lifejackets for signs of wear and tear and replace them if needed.
“The Lifejacket Checker also supports DTMI’s successful Make a difference lifejacket program where participants are shown how to maintain a lifejacket and given a voucher to buy a new lifejacket if theirs is deemed unserviceable,” Mr Meinema said.
“Lifejackets are a key part of being safe on the water and should always be worn when required, if you are not a good swimmer or if conditions are not ideal.
“Too often lives are lost when they are not worn.”
To find the Lifejacket Checker visit the DTMI website.
Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au
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