Time for skippers to get on board with safety equipment changes

• Skippers told It's time to get on board with upcoming safety equipment changes
• Education campaign rolled out to assist skippers 
• Fremantle Docker and marine biologist David Mundy leading the campaign
  

Skippers are being told It's time to get on board as part of a new State Government campaign raising awareness of upcoming changes to safety equipment requirements for recreational vessels in WA.

The safety equipment requirements for windsurfers, kiteboards and some paddle craft will also be updated as part of the reforms.

Retired AFL footballer and qualified marine biologist David Mundy is the ambassador for the year-long campaign.

The changes, being introduced to save lives on the water, follow a review involving extensive community and stakeholder consultation.

Since the start of 2020 there have been 20 recreational boating deaths, and at least a quarter of those may have been avoided if the person had been wearing a lifejacket.

Amendments to WA marine laws are being prepared and key changes will include:

• requirement to carry an appropriately sized lifejacket for each person on board a vessel when on the water in WA;
• children aged between one and 12 must wear a life jacket when more than 400 metres from shore in unprotected waters. This requirement extends to everyone on board if the vessel is less than 4.8 metres in length;
• requirement to carry a GPS enabled emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), or GPS enabled personal locator beacon (PLB) to be phased in over five years; and
• requirement to carry an HF or VHF marine radio on registerable vessels more than four nautical miles from shore, to be phased in over five years.
  

The Government is currently drafting the new laws, which will be in place before the next summer and boating season.

For details about the changes visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/marine

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"It's the first time in 30 years that the safety requirements for recreational vessels in WA have been comprehensively reviewed, and the changes we are making will keep people safer on the water.

"The education campaign is all about getting people prepared, and with more boaties getting out on the water over the coming months, it's the perfect time for people to start preparing for the changes, and not be caught off guard when the next boating season rolls around.

"It's fantastic to have David Mundy on board for this campaign - he's a WA and Fremantle Dockers legend and spends a huge amount of time on and around the water both recreationally and as a qualified marine biologist."

Comments attributed to David Mundy:

"As someone who regularly goes boating with my young family, I am very supportive of the planned changes to safety equipment requirements.

"I am looking forward to being part of the campaign, helping to raise awareness and telling everyone It's time to get on board with the changes.

"As we all prepare to spend more time on the water this summer check the upcoming changes - by updating now it might save your life in an emergency."

Minister's office - 6552 5500