A new safety campaign for inflatable lifejacket servicing

Andrew Ettingshausen has helped launch Transport for NSW's latest water-safety campaign featuring a life-sized yellowfin bream called Finn that aims to raise awareness of your lifejacket(s) care and servicing requirements.

In NSW, the law dictates that you must service your lifejacket (DIY how-to) once a year or in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. This has created growing concern due the shift to inflatable lifejackets and their increased servicing demands over traditional lifejackets types.

For some years now, independent lifejacket experts have been alarmed by the number of faulty, defective and ineffectual inflatable lifejackets presented for servicing.

Gas cylinders without charge, rusted fittings, fault O-rings, punctures and leaking inflatable tubes appear par for the course on inflatable lifejackets that haven't been serviced and even some that have and/or are still new.

Neil Patchett from Transport’s Centre for Maritime Safety said inflatable lifejacket use has skyrocketed in recent years and encouraged boaters to keep their lifejackets well-maintained to help reduce the number of drownings and serious injuries in and around our waterways.

"The Old4New lifejacket exchange program has delivered extremely strong results over the past four years with lifejacket wear rates up more than 400 per cent compared with 10 years ago," Mr Patchett said

"However it’s vital we now remind people to take proper care of their lifejackets so they can do their job effectively if they’re needed.

"By teaming up with ET and Finn, who both know a thing or two about the dangers in and around our waterways, we’ve managed to put a humorous spin on this important safety message."

Check out the new social media video raising awareness for lifejacket servicing.

LIFEJACKET MESSAGE
Using a pump mechanism and an animated deep-water voice, Finn (the bream) bursts into life as part of the new campaign to share a range of safety tips. Authorities hope his message will become a reminder to boaters to check their lifejackets before they go out and hook their next prized catch.

Escape with ET host Andrew Ettingshausen said he was proud to be a part of a campaign that’s all about saving lives.

"Teaming up with Finn the talking fish was fun, but the crux of his message is something all us boaties not only need to listen to, but do as well," Ettingshausen said.

"Spending a day out on the water is something I love to do — and checking your lifejacket is in good working condition before you head out is one of the most important things you’ll do."

LIFEJACKET SERVICING ISSUES
In NSW, it’s the law to service your inflatable lifejacket once a year or in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

While the onus lies with the owner and operator to service their inflatable lifejacket, the cost in doing so almost exceeds that of a new inflatable lifejacket. At about $70 for an inflatable, they have become virtually disposable.

But as time flies, annual servicing comes around in no time. As regular boaters with a boatload of lifejackets, old and new types, we’ve been thinking about this for a while. Servicing all the onboard lifejackets is not only an expense but also a logistical challenge. So here’s an idea for authorities and the boating industry…

To facilitate ease of servicing inflatable lifejackets, it should be a requirement of every boating, fishing and sailing club — perhaps also marinas — to provide an annual lifejacket servicing centre.

This could require registration, drop-off and dispatch, then return of the race-ready jacket. This could be done in late winter each year in preparation for the boating high season, with traditional loan lifejackets offered during the servicing period. A one-stop drop and servicing point would be great for us boaters.

SELF-SERVICING
You can service your lifejacket yourself, providing that’s permitted by the manufacturer, or you can get it professionally done. If you’re going down the DIY route just follow the manufacturer’s instructions and, once completed, record the service details on the service grid on the lifejacket.

Finn’s three lifejacket tips:
>> Make sure your lifejacket is in working order and look for corrosion, wear, damage and leaks before you set out on the water.
>> Ensure the cylinder or cartridge on your lifejacket is hand tight.
>> Make sure the pull cord on the lifejacket is accessible and ready to use

The new campaign supports the NSW Government’s commitment to increase lifejacket wear rates and reduce serious injuries and fatalities.

The NSW Government is set to release its ten-year statistical Boating Incidents in NSW report in the coming weeks (post March 1, 2017).

More at
Lifejacket Servicing at RMS.