THE SA DPTI Boating Safety Unit has launched a consultation on proposed changes to lifejacket wear rules in South Australia.
The principal change proposed relates to the requirement to wear lifejackets in smaller boats and open areas of boats, rather than simply have lifejackets available on board. The consultation specifies this as:
- lifejackets must be worn by all persons on vessels less than 4.8 metres in length and underway
- lifejackets must be worn at all times by children under 12 years of age when in an open area of a vessel 4.8 – 12 metres in length and underway
- lifejackets must be worn by persons over 12 years of age when in an open area of a vessel 4.8 – 12 metres in length and underway at times of heightened risk or as directed by the skipper.
The criteria for ‘times of heightened risk’ include:
- Boating alone
- Boating at night
- Crossing a coastal or ocean bar (e.g. Murray mouth)
- Operating in restricted visibility
- When the vessel is disabled
- Operating in an area where the Bureau of Meteorology has issued a specific weather warning
Other proposed changes cover the requirement to wear a lifejacket when using SUPs and surf skis more than 400m offshore and at all times in a dragon boat.
You can view the full press release HERE, then have your say on the Your SAy website.
The consultation survey is open until September 8.
