Don't be a clown – wear a lifejacket this summer

With the summer boating season about to begin, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) has a strong message for New Zealand's nearly 500,000 recreational boaties: wear your lifejacket.

MNZ is part of the National Pleasure Boat Safety Forum, which is charged with contributing to boating safety and reducing the number of boating fatalities in New Zealand. A new campaign encouraging boaties to wear lifejackets begins on Sunday 4 December.

This summer’s advertising campaign takes a different approach to that of previous years, following research showing that – while boaties are aware of the safety measures they need to take – many still fail to put on lifejackets.

The television campaign focuses on the importance of skipper’s role in taking responsibility and ensuring that everyone onboard wears a lifejacket. It uses a light, humorous touch to make its point, with the key message: “If you’re not onboard with lifejackets…you’re not onboard. Don’t be a clown. Wear a lifejacket.”

“In 2010 there were 14 fatalities associated with recreational boating; already in 2011 we’ve had 20. Many of these deaths could have been prevented if a lifejacket had been worn,” said MNZ Acting Director, Lindsay Sturt.

“The sad fact is that too often people choose not to wear lifejackets, with tragic results.
Mr Sturt said that skippers – even on very small vessels – have a responsibility to ensure that their companions were wearing lifejackets.

“Our research shows that recreational boating deaths occur more frequently for people in vessels, under 6 metres. This includes dinghies, jet skis, kayaks, powerboats and aluminium fishing boats.

“Boaties think they will be able to get to their lifejacket quickly; they think an accident won’t happen to them; they think they’ll be able to swim.

“People who have had near misses say things like – I didn’t realise how cold the water would be, I didn’t realise things could happen so quickly.

“The trouble with trouble at sea is that it happens very quickly. Having a lifejacket simply stowed on a boat is not enough. If you want to survive to boat another day, you need to wear it.”

MNZ’s other key safety messages are: carry emergency communications; check the weather before you decide to go out; and avoid alcohol. And if boaties followed these simple rules, most fatalities would be avoided.