Changes in the wind for boaties
Don’t get caught out as new life jacket rules come into force, says Lia Morris
AS the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the world, we have rediscovered the therapeutic benefits of boating.
Tasmanians love cruising and fishing and at MAST we have seen strong activity in boat registrations and sales of second-hand boats.
Dealers are reporting their stocks for new and used boats are very, very low.
Heading into summer MAST wants all Tasmanians to focus on their own safety and the safety of people on board.
This week is National Safe Boating Week.
Complementing that, we will be rolling out a new safety campaign over the next 12 months. It focuses on life jackets — inflatable and noninflatable — and the safety gear you are required to carry on your boat.
There is a change coming. All life jackets must comply with Australian Standard 4758.1 by January 1.
This standard, which ensures greater buoyancy for inflatable and non-inflatable jackets, actually was announced in 2010. Life jacket manufacturers say the life span of any life jacket is about 10 years, which is why MAST provided a 10-year transition period. So it’s time to check your life jackets to make sure they meet the standard.
In Tasmania, we are very good at wearing life jackets, with about 94 per cent of boaties doing the right thing.
We are not so good at servicing inflatable life jackets. In fact, we are terrible! If you buy inflatable life jackets, you are buying the responsibility to service them.
Despite our well recognised TV, radio, print and bus-back campaigns, we find skippers whose attitude is, it won’t happen to me. Well, it might. Safe boating means: KNOWING the limits of your vessel. Make sure your boat is seaworthy and appropriate for your chosen activity.
BE a responsible boat owner. Boats need maintenance, servicing and safety checks. CARRY the right equipment.
This depends on your vessel type and whether in open or enclosed waters.
ASSESS the weather; choose a suitable time and place. Conditions change quickly, so don’t hesitate to head back in. If in doubt, don’t go out. PLAN your trip; tell a contact where you’re headed and what time you’ll be back.
KNOW the rules and laws.
Often as you drive around Tasmania, you will spot a second-hand boat for sale.
Old boats can be great, but buyer beware. The old saying is, there’s no such thing as a cheap boat. Aluminium boats can have cracks, particularly on welds and keel, and suffer electrolysis where different metals come in contact with one another. For second-hand fibreglass, check the transom (the stern where the outboard is attached) and the floor.
Take someone with you who knows about boats or consult an expert. The MAST website has handy tips.
Marine police have reported increases in boatowners not carrying safety gear. It must be handy, not stowed in a locker up forward. Check out MAST’s 30-second challenge. Can you:
Make yourself and your passengers safe in 30 seconds if something goes wrong?
Is everyone wearing their lifejacket? Do they know how their inflatable jackets work?
Are your flares accessible and ready for use?
Is your EPIRB close to hand and ready for use?
Do you know how to make a Mayday call?
Be Boatwise. There are no second chances.