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NEWS
Lifejacket lunacy
Esky lid and brave kid save family of fiveA 30-year-old Koonawarra man has been fined $4500 plus court costs and charged in Port Kembla Local Court with four offences relating to a near miss boating incident on August 4.
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) Maritime Director Tony Middleton said the five people -- four of whom were children under 16 -- on board had been lucky to survive after the small open runabout capsized.
“There was only one lifejacket on board and it was not being worn properly.
“The overloaded vessel capsized after it was swamped by a wave.
“Fortunately a 16 year old boy was able to swim ashore by using an esky lid for support while the remaining children and the skipper clung to the upturned hull until they were rescued by police.
“Magistrate Christopher McRobert told the court it was lucky no one had drowned and it was of grave concern the defendant had made no attempt to find out the safety requirements for the boat.
“His Honour also noted there had been nine boating fatalities in one month – from 16 September to 17 October - this year.
“Two of the children were under 12 and would need to have been wearing a lifejacket while on board a 3.4 metre boat, while those remaining on board would have needed lifejackets to be on board and easily accessible, under NSW lifejacket legislation.
“The vessel was also overloaded and carried no safety label as required,” Mr Middleton said.
The Koonawarra man pleaded guilty to all four offences:
- Master of unregistered vessel - $1500 and $83 court costs
- Owner of vessel not affix approved safety label - $1000 and $83 court costs
- Operator of vessel fail to carry more than one item of safety equipment - $1000 and $83 court costs
- Operator of vessel fail to ensure child wearing appropriate lifejacket - $1000 and $83 court costs.
DuncanGay, MLC Member of the Legislative Council, Minister for Roads and Ports NSW, will this weekend officially launch a massive statewide lifejacket education and awareness campaign. Watch this space for more information.
Meantime, boaters are urged to check with their state maritime body about the relevant lifejacket laws and don't leave home without a lifejacket for every person aboard. See http://www.wearitaustralia.com.au/ for the state laws and more information regarding lifejackets.
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Written byBoatsales Staff
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