16 October 2009
With the summer boating season set to start this Labour Weekend (October 24-26) Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) and fellow water safety agencies are behind two key safety initiatives aimed at reducing the number of recreational boating deaths.
MNZ, supported by its 15 partner organisations that make up the National Pleasure Boat Safety Forum (the Forum), are now consulting the public on a maritime rule change that would make the wearing of lifejackets by people in craft under 6m compulsory, unless the skipper decides there is low risk. This is in response to the large proportion of recreational boating deaths in these sized craft.
The consultation also coincides with the launch of a new public awareness campaign encouraging boaties to make wearing a lifejacket as automatic as wearing a seatbelt, after last summer was marred by a significant number of fatalities and serious recreational boating accidents.
"Last year, 16 people died in recreational boating accidents around the country, which is 16 too many," says MNZ Manager of Recreational Boating and Forum member Jim Lott.
"Analysis of accidents over the last several years shows that failing to wear a lifejacket is still the leading cause of recreational boating fatalities – followed by lack of reliable communications, failure to check the weather, and alcohol. This is why MNZ and other agencies are launching these new initiatives in an effort to reverse this worrying trend."
From tomorrow (October 17), a two-month period of public consultation will begin on a proposed change to Maritime Rule Part 91, that would see the wearing of lifejackets made compulsory on all boats under 6m in length – unless the skipper considers there to be a low safety risk.
"Under the current rule, all skippers must ensure they carry enough lifejackets for everyone on board, but it is only compulsory to wear the lifejackets in situations of heightened risk – for example rough weather, or when crossing a bar. However, MNZ, supported by the Forum, is proposing to change the focus of the rule to make it compulsory for all on board vessels under 6m to wear their lifejacket by default at all times – unless expressly given permission by the skipper to take them off," Mr Lott says.
"This is in response to the disproportionate number of recreational boating deaths that have occurred on vessels in the under 6m category over the last 10 years – a majority of which could probably have been averted had the victims been wearing a lifejacket. We hope that by changing the emphasis of the rule so that the skipper determines when lifejackets should be taken off, rather than when they should be put on, that we can reverse the trend."
In addition to the lifejacket rule consultation, MNZ will also begin screening a new television commercial from Sunday (18 October), which will focus on the importance of boaties wearing their lifejacket. "The thrust of the campaign is about encouraging boaties to make putting their lifejacket on when they step into a boat as automatic as putting a seatbelt on when getting into a car. The message is that it can save your life. It really is that simple.
"We’re also urging boaties to be patient and keep a good lookout for other water users – particularly as boating activity increases over the summer holiday period and our beaches and waterways become congested as more people take to the water. Enjoy the water but stay safe so you can come back to your family and friends in one piece."
MNZ is now inviting all interested parties to make a submission on the proposed lifejacket rule amendment, which can be mailed to PO Box 27006, Wellington 6141, faxed to (04) 494 8901 or emailed to rules.coordinator@maritimenz.govt.nz
More information is also available in this fact sheet or on the recreational boating section of this website.
For further information contact:
RCCNZ Media Line
Phone 04 499 7318
