New-for-old lifejackets
Swap your old lifejacket for a discounted new oneNSW Minister for Roads and Ports Duncan Gay has kicked off the state’s first-ever lifejacket upgrade initiative.
Minister Gay said starting this weekend, the new NSW lifejacket vehicle is touring more than 100 boat ramps giving people the chance to swap their old lifejackets for new ones.
"The aim of the ‘Old 4 New’ lifejacket upgrade initiative is to increase awareness of new-generation lifejackets that can be worn in comfort all day," Minister Gay said.
"It will also give people the opportunity to exchange their old lifejackets for a discount off new ones.
"Our ‘Old 4 New’ van was unveiled at Drummoyne in Sydney today (November 30) and will continue touring popular boat ramps on the coast and inland between now and the end of the boating season.
"We’ll be talking directly to the boating community, just as they’re about to get on the water.
"If you compare the old big and bulky lifejackets with our modern-day, slimline products, you’ll see how much they’ve advanced.
"People need to make putting on a lifejacket a habit, a bit like putting on sunscreen, because one day it might just save your life, especially in small boats.”
Also this boating season, additional resources will be allocated to further improve boater safety and education Minister Gay said.
"We are recruiting six more Boating Safety Officers to help boost lifejacket compliance rates, especially in regional NSW," Minister Gay said.
"There will also be 18 Boating Education Officers created. These entirely new positions are all about educating the public so they make the right choices when it comes to their safety out on the water.
"They will be at boat ramps, out on the water, visiting schools and attending community events to educate as many people as possible on the importance of wearing lifejackets," Minister Gay said.
"The boating education officer positions will be based all over the state at popular boating locations.
"Almost two million people go boating in NSW each year and we’ve said all along that safety initiatives that help reinforce the importance of wearing lifejackets are absolutely paramount," Minister Gay said.
"The more people we have on the water, and at boat ramps, to promote safe and responsible boating, the better."
For further information on the lifejacket promotional vehicle go to: www.lifejacketwearit.com.au
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