Old4New campaign is all about keeping boaties safe

Local boaties will have the chance to check and upgrade their lifejackets this month, thanks to the Coastguardos Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade campaign.

Since the 1 December, the Old4New van has been visiting key locations all over the country, giving boaties the opportunity to bring in their old, damaged or out-of-date lifejackets for a great discount on brand new, quality Hutchwilco lifejackets.

Coastguard CEO Patrick Holmes says, lifejackets save lives, but old lifejackets are no good in an emergency.

pLifejackets that are over ten years old should be replaced even if they look ok to the eye. Seawater, sun and general wear and tear impact how effective they are and many old lifejackets wonot even float, which is a serious concern in an emergency.

pWorryingly, there are still people using lifejackets filled with kapok s a fluffy plant fibre similar to cotton which can easily absorb water. These lifejackets are extremely dangerous so if you have one, destroy it immediately and replace it with a new, modern one.q

Mr Holmes says the Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade campaign provides an easy and accessible way for people to check their lifejacket is up to scratch, and replace them if they arenot.

pThe more old, damaged and dangerous lifejackets that are removed from the community the better. We are encouraging every boatie who is unsure about the quality of their lifejacket to head to the Old4New van when itos in their area,q says Mr Holmes.

Since the inception of the campaign, more than 10,000 old or damaged lifejackets have been traded in and upgraded, meaning thousands of Kiwis are now safer on the water.

The Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade is delivered with generous funding from Maritime New Zealand and support from the Southern Trust in partnership with Kiwi companies Hutchwilco and the Giltrap Group.

On Wednesday 23 January the Old4New van will be in the Dannevirke Domain on High Street from 3pm-6pm.