Lifejacket stands for NSW ramps -- Scoop!

Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay today announced a new mobile safety campaign to tour boat ramps across NSW this summer, which will promote and sell lifejackets at popular locations.

Minister Gay said a dedicated lifejacket promotional vehicle will target boat ramps and boating events to raise awareness of the new generation of lifejackets that are lighter and slimmer.

"If we can’t get boaters to take the lifejacket [with them], we’ll take the lifejacket to them," Minister Gay said.

"We still have work to do to create generational change in the acceptance and use of lifejackets across the boating sector, so this summer we’re taking a new approach.

Boaters will have the opportunity to exchange old lifejackets and receive a discount on new-generation lifejackets that are slim fitting, less restrictive and can be worn for the whole day out in a boat.

"We will also initiate a special ‘loan’ lifejacket campaign which will run this coming boating season," Minister Gay said, adding that his department has now gone out to tender to engage industry experts to get this initiative ready for the summer.

"It’s devastating to look at the number of deaths that could have easily been avoided if boaters had been wearing a lifejacket. Last year 26 people were killed in recreational boating incidents and, over the 10 years to June 30, 2012, 136 lives were lost," he adds.

Nine out of 10 people who drowned when boating weren’t wearing a lifejacket and the majority of those fatalities were in small boats less than six metres long.

"Lifejackets save lives but they are useless unless you’re wearing them and that’s particularly important in small vessels which are generally less stable, and susceptible to capsizing and swamping when compared to larger vessels.

"A lifejacket never ruined a day on the water and if our new mobile stands can convince boaters of this we hope it will save lives this summer," Minister Gay said.