WA to review boating safety equipment

The Western Australian government has launched a major review of the type of safety equipment used by the recreational sector in the state.

Since the last such review was undertaken in 1992, there have been many changes to technologies, international equipment standards and boating practices.

There are now 100,000 registered recreational vessels in Western Australia, and there has been an increasing number of injuries and fatalities in recent years — 25 lives have been lost in the last four years alone.

As well as obvious items such as life jackets, technical equipment such as radios, GPS systems, EPIRBs and PLBs are also under review.

The Department of Transport has released a discussion paper and is calling for responses by 10 July 2017.

“In an emergency, safety equipment can save a life so we must ensure the requirements meet the needs of the growing number of vessel types and also reflect the significant improvements in technology since the last review in 1992,” said Transport Minister Rita Saffioti.

“The aim of the review is to enhance the safety of people on the water without reducing the participation rate or imposing unreasonable costs on those who enjoy boating.”

Image courtesy WA DoT.

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