Summer safety on the water

Coastguard NZ CEO Patrick Holmes urges boaties to wear life jackets.

Lifejackets, they're a rule not a choice. The personal flotation devices are a legal requirement for everyone on board. Remember, lifejackets only work if you wear them.

The Safer Boating Forum has released guidelines showing safer use of inflatable lifejackets, following concerns they sometimes fail because they're not getting serviced.

If you're opting for an inflatable lifejacket, don't forget to regularly check the CO2 cylinders for corrosion. The jacket bladders need to be inflated at least every year to ensure they don't leak when needed.

'The aim is to help save lives of recreational boaties by helping them choose the correct lifejackets; and, crucially, to know how and when to service them,” says Safer Boating Forum chair Lindsay Sturt.

Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard is recommending people service their own jackets.

'They can service them themselves, but after every couple of years they should get them serviced by a qualified serviceman,” says Tauranga Volunteer Coastguard operations manager Simon Barker.

'But you can check them over for corrosion. Blow them up manually, and usually leave them up for 24 hours. They should stay up, then just pack them away.

'It's certainly worth people keeping on top of them; because when you need them is the worst time to find out they are not working.”

There's information available at the Coastguard station Sulphur Point on how to service inflatable lifejackets, says Simon.

Much of it is also in the national guidelines available on the Maritime NZ website.

Coastguard NZ's CEO Patrick Holmes says the Christmas and New Year period is always a busy time for Coastguard volunteers, who can't stress enough the importance of wearing lifejackets.

'By wearing your lifejacket you're giving yourself the best chance of survival because accidents are by definition unpredictable, and it is extremely difficult to put on a lifejacket once you are in the water.

'Take them and wear them, they are your best protection when the unexpected happens.”

Patrick says skippers also have a big role to play in this. 'The skipper is responsible for every person on board the boat. They have an obligation to take responsibility for their passenger's safety.”

Coastguard is running its Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade to the end of January, as part of Coastguard's safe boating message.

It's an important message encouraging boaties to swap their old lifejackets for a brand new fit-for-purpose quality lifejacket at a great trade-in discount.

'The summer season is a great time to get out on the water and enjoy the warmer weather with family and friends however it's important to remember the simple safety rules amongst all of the fun,” says Patrick.

These five simple rules could save your life.

Lifejackets: Take them, wear them.Wearing a lifejacket increases your survival time in the water.

Take two separate waterproof ways of communicating so Coastguard can help you if you get into difficulties.

Check the local marine weather forecast before you go and expect both weather and sea state changes.

Avoid Alcohol. Things can change quickly on the water. You need to stay alert and aware.

The skipper is responsible for the safety of everyone on board and for the safe operation of the boat. Stay within the limits of your vessel and your experience.

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