Locals urged to have their say on boat safety equipment laws

Monday, 14 October 2019 12:20

By Monique Welhan

The State Government is calling on community members to have their say on recreational boat safety in WA.

The Recreational Vessel Safety Equipment Review Position Paper has 12 proposals designed to simplify laws, making it easier for skippers to comply and save lives on the water.

Recommended proposals include the compulsory wearing of lifejackets for children and by anyone on a vessel less than 4.8 metres in length, bringing Western Australia into line with other States.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said this is the first time there has been a comprehensive review into recreational vessel safety equipment since 1992.

"This new discussion paper gives community members the opportunity to have their say on what extra measures and laws they would like to see in place on our waters," she said.

In Victoria there were 59 boating fatalities in the six years prior to the introduction of compulsory lifejacket wearing in 2005 and only 16 fatalities recorded in the six years following.

Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia all have laws requiring compulsory wearing of lifejackets on a vessel less than 4.8 metres, while Tasmania mandates the wearing of lifejackets on vessels less than six metres.

All States except WA require children between one and 12 years to wear a lifejacket when boating.

Under the proposed reforms recreational vessels will not need to carry any safety equipment when operating in protected waters or within 400 metres of shore in unprotected waters.

The proposed changes also require a GPS enabled distress beacon, plus either flares or an electronic night signalling device.

A marine radio will only be required when operating more than four nautical miles from shore.

Community members can have their say at http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/safetyequipmentreview