- New safety laws for sail and kiteboarders, windsurfers and paddle craft
- Requirements mirror those introduced last year to boost safety on the water
- Changes complete the most comprehensive review of safety equipment in 30 years
There are new safety equipment requirements for sail and kiteboarders, windsurfers and paddlers operating more than 400 metres from shore following the introduction of the final stage of reforms designed to save lives on the water.
From today enthusiasts operating more than 400 metres from shore in unprotected waters will need to meet the same safety equipment requirements introduced for tenders and sailing dinghies last September. Some of these include:
- carrying of an appropriate lifejacket for each person;
- wearing a lifejacket for children aged between 1-12 years and when the vessel is less than 4.8 metres;
- carrying a GPS-enabled Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), or wearing a GPS-enabled Personal Locator Beacon (PLB); and,
- carrying flares or an approved electronic signalling device (if a GPS-enabled distress beacon is carried).
On-water incidents in WA claimed 61 lives in the past eight years – three more than the previous 13 years. Over the past ten years the average number of deaths per year increased to 7.1, significantly up on the previous ten-year average of 4.7.
The Department of Transport has launched an education campaign targeting sail and kiteboarders, windsurfers and those who use paddle craft. Enthusiasts are being told ‘It’s time to get on board’ with an extension of the successful earlier campaign for skippers fronted by former Fremantle Docker and marine biologist David Mundy.
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As stated by Minister Assisting the Transport Minister David Michael:
“The new laws simplify the requirements for these particular craft and replace laws that were complicated.
“Recreational vessel owners throughout WA embraced the new equipment requirements introduced as the first stage of reform last September with many complying ahead of schedule.
“The overwhelming majority of skippers in WA are doing the right thing with compliance rates sitting close to 90 per cent from January to June this year and higher than 90 per cent for lifejackets and EPIRBs and PLBs for the quarter to June.
“Today marks the introduction of the second and final stage of the new laws completing the most comprehensive review of safety equipment requirements for recreational vessels and watercraft in WA in 30 years.
“The changes maximise technology improvements particularly in regard to marine rescues and ensure lifejackets are always carried and worn when risk is elevated while on the water.
“I encourage all boat owners, sail and kiteboarders, windsurfers and paddlers to ‘get on board’as they prepare to spend time on the water in spring and summer and act to comply with the laws to enjoy their activities safely.”
