Do you think lifejackets should be compulsory?

reader comments

• In my experiance many of the people that drown will do so anyway rules or no rules.
  Braye Sutherland on 20-Jan-10 06:53 PM

• No, i don't advocate compulsory lifejackets at night. If conditions are suitably good there is no reason to wear them in the cockpit, however i insist anyone leaving the cockpit at night must be harnessed. Also if conditions dictate, they are harnessed in the cockpit as well. I believe some freedoms for the crew should exist or the spirit of adventure becomes lost. And in the end it is good seamanship that dictates when the harnesses and lifejackets should be worn.
  greg on 10-Jan-10 10:57 PM

• In my view, if you are on the water exposed to a variety of natural conditions and cannot make a decision on when to mandate PDF's on your vessel, then regulation is not likely to save either you or crew :)
  Dave M on 07-Jan-10 01:03 AM

• Putting it simply - I am not a fan of regulation, and it generally comes with costs. Using incentives is more reasonable, considered, achievable and likely to achieve the outcome - savingives. Remove artificial costs (e.g., taxes, duties). Approve self-servicing regimes. Conduct educative campaigns with an emphasis on online products and postage with registrations.
  Tony on 06-Jan-10 12:56 AM

• After watching footage of the George Bass Surf Race from Batemans Bay to Eden in rough conditions, I am again amazed that these "Life Savers" do not wear bouyancy vests. Why not ??
  RA on 04-Jan-10 08:56 PM

• Laws are there to balance one persons rights with anothers duty. If my not wearing a life jacket may harm another, then there is a reasonable arguement. Otherwise it is not for the government to get involved.
  Stuart McLean on 03-Jan-10 03:52 PM

• For several years the boats i sail on have had a code that everyone on deck wear pfds and harnesses at night and in times of heightened need. this is just prudent seamanship but was prompted when a couple of us found ourselves outside the safety lines of the yacht (in conditions we had up until then thought were safe). The last thing i want to have to do is to tell a friends' wife, kids or parents their loved one fell over board and drowned. I love being on the sea too much to have that haunt me. Sailing safe means we all have fun and make it home alive.
  BM on 27-Dec-09 06:52 PM

• No we should not be forced to wear life jackets at all times. More rules and regulations in an already over regulated country is not what we need. After all the gun laws did not stop the crooks getting guns and the seat belt laws did not stop people driving with out them and the drink driving laws did not stop drink driving. When are the boffins going to learn that you cannot regulate for everything. Commonsense must prevail. Make people responsible for their own actions.
  Terry on 26-Dec-09 10:03 AM

• I always wear a PFD when sailing, it is inflatable and feel weird when I don't wear one. My concern with making it compulsory is that it takes away the element that has made us what we are today - Natural Selection - Don't become extinct - Wear one
  John on 29-Nov-09 06:46 AM

• I value my freedom and do not appreciate being forced to do anything that takes this away. However, after a close call while sailing at night, I believe it is a good idea to wear the PDF at night. I would also add a safety harness especially on watch duties during the night. Education is much better than punishment so, I strongly disagree to being fined for failing to wear the PDF this must not become a revenue raising exercise. Claude - NSW
  Claude on 22-Nov-09 11:12 PM

• We are already over Governed. You will not stop foolish boaters from not using their common sense. Seatbelts are mandatory but every day someone is killed through not wearing one. We are only allowing the Governement another revenue source. Legislating to make the wearing of life vests will not save the lives of the fools who will still not wear them.
  Doug Perth on 20-Nov-09 10:16 AM

• If inflatable pfd's were cheaper and self regulatory servicing was allowed then more people would be inclined to buy/wear them. A national licencing and safety rules system (powered vessels and yachties as well)would sound logical,but the various state bodies dont want to lose their power and revenue base so we all lose and pay more for our boating.
  Captn GK on 17-Nov-09 10:45 PM

• I always wear a life jacket/harness combo & would not feel comfortable without it. Some people need regulations to protect themselves (& those having to rescue them)
  Mal Yaringa Victoria on 16-Nov-09 10:20 AM

• Teach and inspire rather than restrict with more rules. Trouble is, too many are not looking after their own safety. Not entirely their fault. Too many rules might be making them think they don't need to. All we have to do is to push a button because our culture teaches us to dial triple 0 first. That's in total contradiction to real life where every good sailor knows contact with Nature requires preparation and forethought.
  Cap'n Jack on 13-Nov-09 08:50 AM

• Life Jackets will only save a life if they are being worn at the time. An inflatable life jacket is a sensible option and can be worn all the time when on the water because it is relatively unobtrusive and allows freedom of movement. However the requirement to have an Annual Service by an approved service provider or the manufacturer is counter productive. It is just revenue raising for industry and Government. Australia should join the rest of the world and allow a personal inspection by the owner and sell the required kits to service them. To remain in the days of having cumbersome PFDs as the main flotation device is silly. We need to get real and use the equipment that is available. I have the required traditional PFD's onboard - and they are worn when crossing bars etc - but would prefer to have inflatables but not when I have to service 8 or 10 at $50 a year. Come on regulators get real. Stop making rules so you can fine us!!
  Vivian on 12-Nov-09 09:52 PM

• I think it should be compulsory for everyone onboard small boats (canoes, dinghies, tinnies and PWC) to wear an approved buoyancy vest at all times. I am also of the view that we should wear an approved inflatable lifejacket while working on deck on larger recreational craft at times of heightened risk (racing, crossing a bar, heavy weather, offshore etc.) I feel the words 'heightened risk' should be left to be defined by the Standards Australia organisation in a National standard on maritime safety. I think it is ridiculous and a total waste of effort to have all the States producing their own legislation on this very important matter. As a trailer yacht racer I have to comply with the safety requirements of my class rules, race sailing instructions, boats insurance policy, RRS safety categories, international anti collision regulations, harbour authority rules and of course the State Marine Safety board. I am only too happy to wear a comfortable inflatable life jacket when required and if my boat fails its pull down test, install a flotation system in the hull. But Surely, surely we must all work to one national recreation maritime safety standard and not a hotch pot of State rules.
  Hurricane Jack on 12-Nov-09 05:49 PM

• An inflatable is not a PFD until it is inflated - up to that point it is just a fancy piece of neckwear.
  Chris - NSW on 12-Nov-09 01:31 PM

• There iis only one place for a Life jacket when it is required. That is on the person. In most boats, but not all, that means an inflatable. To insist on anual service by a specific firm at an annual rate of $50-60 for this is countra productive. Annual or more frequent attention should be give per RNlI recommendations! Particularly that the gas bottle is frimly screwed in place and the mouth piece has not been trodden on.
  Norman Longworth on 12-Nov-09 08:19 AM

• I have sailed in Victoria for 40 years, and welcome the legislation requiring lifejackets. The rules allow those who are less assertive to avoid peer pressure not to wear them. The rules have the same effect as seatbelts in cars, and helmet for motorcyclists. They save lives, and very soon you feel unrestricted wearing one, and insecure when you're not.
  Simon on 11-Nov-09 06:55 PM

• On my boat I insist that crew have a sharp folding jack-knife on a lanyard [with snap] & a large ORANGE garbage bag, pocketed or bum-bag., A length of vb & a mirror. Being AWARE tells you when to take care & put on a PFD. Experience may be too late, so learning is a must, willingly from any source. Legislation is laying down to "The Nanny State" & ceasing to use judgment for the circumstances prevailing.
  Capt'n Antony on 11-Nov-09 06:05 PM

• I wear a PFD when I sailing my sharpie either racing or training and I feel more comfortable wearing my inflatable when crewing on a 38. It only takes one incident and I would hate to have as an epitaph 'If I was only wearing it this once'. It's hard to pull the inflation cord when your in the water and the PFD in the cabin. But as for compulsory, I think we are getting ruled to death. I'll go with education and common sense
  Paul Leaudais on 11-Nov-09 05:53 PM

• NO. I do not believe it should be compulsory to wear lifejackets. We are constantlyi told the skipper is responsible for his boat and crews safety. This is just right.
  Allan on 11-Nov-09 05:40 PM

• "The changes that would most affect yachties would be a requirement to wear a PFD "in heightened risk situations" such as at night, when alone and on ocean waters. At this stage it appears that NSW is only proposing this for vessels less than 4.8 metres in length" - does this mean whilst rowing out to the yacht in my tender? I believe this is compulsory in Victoria, with zealous officials watching in secret waiting to pounce on those who dare to disobey (or accidentally leave the PFD at home). Regulation will never replace good seamanship!
  Chris - NSW on 11-Nov-09 04:00 PM

• Rules and regulations only seem to be for honest people. It worries me that we are over regulating and destroying the ability to be responsible for our own actiuons!
  Brenton Air WA on 11-Nov-09 02:02 PM

• As a Victorian yachtie I can't see what you northerners are worried about. I wear a yoke type YA approved PFD, their impact on my freedom around the yacht/s (I own 2, a 38ft Currawong and a 22ft Jedda) is non existant. In fact I feel happier wearing them just knowing that I have the added bouyancy available instantly if I do happen to go over the side. I insist that my crew wears their PFD whilst on the deck during their watch or moving about on the deck away from the safety of the cockpit. They have a choice, comply with my wishes or take up a land based activity (lawn bowls?) They also wear a saftey harness and clip onto the lifelines at night. As far as revenue raising, commit the crime - pay the fine. I sail as regularly as I can and haven't been bothered by the authorities. Personally I'd wear a PFD because they are a good idea and they might just save my life.
  Kevin Robertson on 11-Nov-09 01:59 PM

• I always wear one when I race my Flying Fifteen but I am not in favour of compulsion.
  Tom Ruut on 11-Nov-09 12:09 PM

• I believe it necessary for all children to wear a lifejacket when on the water whether it be legislation or not. Their ability to save their own life could be in doubt in an accident and the parent/guardian needs to be responsible for this.
  Maureen on 11-Nov-09 11:58 AM

• I am a bit of a safety nut, but would not wear one or force any crew to wear one, when conditions do not warrant it. Everyone should be responsible for their own actions and prepare as though no one will come to the rescue.
  Graham on 11-Nov-09 11:58 AM

• Victorian rules are ok and will assist safety (if everyone obeyed them !)
  Brian on 11-Nov-09 11:41 AM

• No. I don't think that lifejackets should be worn at all times. It seems that NSW Maritime in particular is motivated by a need to raise revenue. The obvious example is that while National Parks (govt funded) maintains courtesy moorings around the Solitary Islands at no cost to us, NSW M. (revenue funded) have removed all such moorings in our area. Meanwhile legislation is passed which makes us liable to fines which fund NSW M.. They are not our friend on the water as they should be. They are the blokes with the big sticks. I have seen them interrogate boaters without cause of suspicion. Education is the way to create an attitude of safety. Legislation is not able to take into account the many circumstances in which we find ourselves. There will always be people who will not take due care but the rest of us should not be penalised for their actions.
  Chris Kirkwood on 11-Nov-09 11:34 AM

• People should be responsible for their own actions. We all understand the possible dangers of not wearing one in certain circumstances. Then we only have ourselves to blame if there is a problem.
  James on 11-Nov-09 11:28 AM

tell a friend

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