The mobile ‘Old4New’ lifejacket van will be touring the region as part of a Transport for NSW program to change the perception that lifejackets are cumbersome and get in the way out on the water.
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This Saturday, Feb. 13, the van will be at the Bermagui Harbour ramp from 2pm-5pm.
On Sunday, Feb. 14, it will be at Corunna Lake boat ramp for 6am-9am at then at the Apex Park boat ramp, Narooma from 2pm-5pm. On Saturday, Feb. 20, it will be at Tuross Head boat ramp, Nelson Parade from 6am-9am.
The van on Saturday afternoon will then travel up to Moruya Heads, Preddeys Wharf Road from 2pm-5pm, and then on Sunday, Feb. 21 will be at Hanging Rock Boat Ramp, Batemans Bay from 6am-9am.
Member for Bega Andrew Constance encouraged residents to consider updating their lifejackets and take advantage of the program.
“Following on from last year’s successful tour, the van will be back visiting some 175 popular boating hot spots across the state, including many new locations,” Mr Constance said.
“As we head into the warmer months, more people will be out enjoying the sun and water so make sure you and your family are fitted up with the right lifejackets.The new generation slimline lifejackets look great, are easy to wear and won’t get in the way of your favourite activity on the water.
“I urge boaters to look out for the van and bring along their old lifejackets. If you speak to one of the experienced staff they’ll be happy to help you upgrade to a discounted lifejacket that best suits your needs.”
Mr Constance said staff will also be doing practical demos and showing you how to care for the modern lifejackets.
“Lifejackets over the last few years have really evolved and are much more recreation-friendly, Mr Constance said. “If you compare the old big and bulky lifejackets with our modern slimline models, you’ll see how much they’ve advanced and how comfortable they are to wear all day during any type of on-water activity.”
Mr Constance said the program was designed to hammer home the importance of wearing a lifejacket at all times which can make all the difference in a boating accident.
“Boating is a relatively safe activity but accidents can and do happen particularly in smaller vessels which are more susceptible to capsize than larger vessels,” Mr Constance said.
“Over the past decade nine out of 10 people who drowned while boating weren’t wearing a lifejacket.
“Even if you’re a strong swimmer, if you’re in a craft under 4.8m at night, offshore, on alpine waters, or have children under the age of 12 years, you need to all be wearing a lifejacket.
"Not wearing a lifejacket can have serious consequences and with the new convenient, inflatable models that can be self-serviced there’s no excuse not to have one.”
Last season, the Transport for NSW ‘Old4New’ lifejacket van visited over 90 locations, spoke to thousands of people and exchanged more than 2500lifejackets.
For further information on the lifejacket promotional vehicle, visit lifejacketwearit.com.au
Drop off your old flares too
Roads and Maritime Services has launched a program to help boaters dispose of expired flares, with mobile collections set up along the NSW coastline until the end of the boating season in May.
A Roads and Maritime spokesperson said the flare collection program would continue to allow flares to be disposed of safely and conveniently.
“This important initiative allows boaters to dispose of old flares responsibly and promotes a culture of safer boating,” the spokesperson said.
“Marine flares can signal someone is in trouble and help provide a location for aircraft or vessels engaged in a search and rescue. Generally, a minimum of two red hand flares and two orange smoke flares are required on all vessels operating in open waters.
“Most flares have a use-by-date of three years and must be replaced before expiry. Penalties apply for not carrying current flares on a vessel, so it is vital boat owners regularly check and replace flares.
“By holding collection days Roads and Maritime hopes to also remind boaters to check their safety equipment regularly. From January until May boaters can take old flares to various sites along the coast. From there the flares will be disposed of by a Roads and Maritime approved contractor.”
The spokesperson said the expired flare collection program complements other boating safety initiatives including the Old4New lifejackets program.
“Where possible, flare collection days will be held along with visits from the Old4New van. Boaters will be able to trade-in their old lifejackets for a more modern, slim-fitting model which will be available from the Old4New van.”