NEWS - New NSW Lifejacket Laws Now in Force

NSW Treasurer and Minister for Ports and Waterways Eric Roozendaal today reminded boaters across the state that new lifejacket laws for recreational boaters come into effect from today (November 1).

“Lifejackets are the most important piece of safety equipment on any vessel,” said Roozendaal.

“Lifejackets save lives, but they can’t save your life if you’re not wearing one.

“I remind all boaters to familiarise themselves with the safety requirements, especially those who have smaller boats or children under 12.

Under the new laws, all boaters on vessels less than 4.8m must wear lifejackets:
* At night;
* On open (ocean) waters;
* On alpine waters; and,
* When boating alone.

Stronger protections apply to children under 12 who must wear lifejackets on boats less than 4.8m or when they are in open areas of vessels less than 8m that are underway, which means all deck areas including flybridges and anything attached to the stern.

“The new laws also give skippers the legal authority to require passengers put on a lifejacket in risky situations such as in rough water or after a breakdown,” Roozendaal said.

The new lifejacket rules follow extensive community consultation by NSW Maritime, with more than 86 per cent of respondents supporting the majority of the proposed changes.

While boaters get used to the new rules there will be a 12-month advisory period where warnings will be issued for first offences.

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