BIA Victoria -
Marine Industry Updates
Have your say on the compulsory wearing of lifejackets
Thursday, 16 November 2006
Have Your Say on the Compulsory Wearing of Lifejackets
Research points to the view that personal flotation devices (PFDs), or lifejackets, as they are commonly known, improve the safety of boaties out on the water and are absolutely critical in emergencies such as capsize or man overboard situations.
The National Marine Safety Committee is inviting members of the boating industry to have their say on the compulsory wearing of personal flotation devices as part of a national discussion paper on this issue.
The National Principles to Guide in Assessing Risks to Determine Policy on the Compulsory Wearing of PFDs discussion paper aims to develop a consistent approach on this issue.
"The issue of compulsory wearing of PFDs is a contentious one, as we have seen with the introduction of PFD legislation in Victoria, however, the message is that, like seatbelts, PFDs save lives," explained NMSC CEO Ms Maurene Horder.
According to NMSC data, 41 people died in Australian waters in 2005. Statistics on recreational boating fatalities from New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria from 2001- 2005 showed that 88% of those who died in a boating incident were not wearing a PFD.
The 2001 – 2005 state data is consistent with an earlier NMSC study, The National Assessment of Boating Fatalities in Australia 1992 – 1998 Report.
"This study found that people who survived a boating incident were more than two times more likely to have been wearing a PFD compared to those who died and concluded that if PFD usage increased to 50%, 2 -3 lives could be saved nationally each year."
Feedback is being sort on the principles and risks that may contribute to the likelihood of drowning whilst out boating, and they include -
Principle 1 – The Nature of the Activity
Principle 2 – The Area of Operation
Principle 3 – The Environment
Principle 4 – Extra Protection for Inexperienced Boaters
Principle 5 – Type and Length of Boat
Principle 6 – Propensity to Take Risks
Feedback is also sought on which recreational boats should be excluded from PFD wearing requirements and why.
Ms Horder announced that as a result of an NMSC proposal, the Australian Consumers Association has scheduled PFDs for review in the December 2006 issue of Choice magazine. Please go to www.nmsc.gov.au to provide feedback on the PFD discussion paper, which closes for public comment on 30 November 2006.