Boaters reminded to check their safety equipment

13 October 2017

With Boating Safety Day this Sunday 15 October, boaters are reminded to take the opportunity before heading to the water to check that their safety equipment is in good working order and has not expired.

Boaters should also be aware of the suitability of safety equipment depending on the size of the boat and the area they are operating in.

Lifejackets are an essential safety item and are required under current regulations to be carried for each person on board.

Boaters should also be aware of proposed changes to lifejacket laws that include requirements for lifejackets to be worn:

• By all children under the age of 12 when in an open area of a vessel
• By all persons on vessels less than 4.8m and when in an open area of a vessel <12m at time of heightened risk
• On paddleboards and surf skis when operating more than 400m from the shore

On Boating Safety Day, events will be held across Australia and New Zealand to promote boating safety.

Marine Safety Officers from the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) will be present at the following metropolitan and rural ramps to offer advice to the public on boating safety matters including equipment, safe operation and rules:

• 8.30 am - 10.30 am - Billy Lights Point (Port Lincoln), Swan reach (Murray River) and St Kilda boat ramps (Metro).
• 10.30 am - 12.30 pm - Axel Stenross (Port Lincoln), Morgan (Murray River) and North Haven boat ramps (Metro).
• 1.00 pm - 3.30 pm - Coffin Bay (Eyre Peninsula), Adelaide Shores (Metro) and Renmark boat ramps (Murray River).

For more information on boating safety visit: http://www.sa.gov.au/topics/boating-and-marine/boat-and-marine-safety