Background
Law
A commonly stated and eye-opening statistic is that between 1999 and 2011 only 15 of the 221 people killed in NSW boating accidents were wearing a life jacket.
Three main rules, always have and always will apply for lifejackets on vessels:
- ALL vessels must carry a lifejacket for each person on board (unless exempt).
- The lifejackets must be the correct size for the wearer and in good working condition.
- In certain situations, it is not good enough for there to be a lifejacket on the vessel for a passenger, but the passenger will have to be wearing it.
Penalties will apply to boat owners and operators where the above rules are breached, and these will vary from state to state.
- Same general principles as above
- Source of law
- Differences between states