International forum highlights lifejacket safety

The International Lifejacket Forum will take place from May 1 (today) at the Australian National Maritime Museum and has attracted panel members from the UK, France, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Transport for NSW's maritime safety figures show that there were 167 boating fatalities and 575 serious injuries as a result of 3754 incidents over the past 10 years.

Office of Boating Safety and Maritime Affairs General Manager Howard Glenn said more than 93 per cent of those drowned in boating incidents were not wearing a lifejacket.

"The majority of these people would have survived the incident had they put on a lifejacket. Experience shows us that lifejackets can save lives for those people who are unlucky enough to end up in the water when boating," Mr Glenn said.

"The International Lifejacket Forum is our chance to consider what the next steps could be when it comes to lifejacket safety, enforcement and education."

The panel has attracted some of the leading names in international boating safety, including: Britain’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution sea safety manager Peter Chennell, chair of the Canadian Safe Boating Council Jean Murray, Public Education Director of the Canadian Lifesaving Society Barbara Byers, and former French naval officer and head of Societe Nationale de Sauvetage’s prevention arm Pierre Brugnon.

The forum is part of Marine13, the first Australian conference to bring the boating, marina and boating safety industries together.

The International Lifejacket Forum will be held on May 1 at the Australian National Maritime Museum. The forum is by invitation but Marine13 invitees are welcome to attend.

For further information, go to: www.marine13.com