News from Marine Safety South Australia – November 2023

SA Recreational Boating Safety Strategy consultation open

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport is developing the first ever South Australian Recreational Boating Safety Strategy – a 5-year plan that focuses on improving safety for recreational boaters and others who share the State’s coastal and inland waters.

To make sure the plans are effective and inclusive as possible, Marine Safety need input from the SA community, that means you! Survey responses will help unearth issues and contribute to solutions that enhance safety across coastlines and waterways. The more feedback they have, the better equipped they will be to create positive change. Please complete the short survey here for your chance to win a new lifejacket.

For more information about the strategy development including the background paper for details on the South Australian coastline and waterways usage, click here.

The survey closes Friday 5 January 2024.

SA Recreational Boating Safety Strategy survey lifejacket winner – week 1

Level 100 lifejacket for a child won by Scott from Henley Beach

Level 50S large lifejacket will be given to the week 2 winner

Congratulations to Scott from Henley Beach who was the lucky winner of a children’s lifejacket!

Everyone that completes the South Australian Recreational Boating Safety Survey with their contact details, will go into the draw to win one of the weekly lifejacket prizes. The earlier you complete the survey the more opportunities you have to win each week! Don’t delay, fill in the survey today, Terms and conditions apply.

The week 2 winner will receive a level 50S size large lifejacket ideal for water skiing / river activities.

Marine Safety SA Mo boats

Have you seen any of the Marine Safety SA boats sporting Mo’s on the water this November?

Marine Safety SA partnered with Movember Australia to help raise awareness for men’s health issues.

Any photos you have snapped of the Marine Safety SA Mo boats, send them to the Marine Safety SA Facebook page.

Is your lifejacket fitted properly?

Did you know the label printed on your lifejacket should include details of the recommended size and weight for the person wearing them?

Remember, the lifejacket should:

fit snuggly without being too tight
not be too big as you can slide out of it
not be too small as it may not help you to float.

Tips for fitting your lifejacket correctly are available here.

Safety first for this fishing duo

Well done to this father and son fishing duo who knew exactly what they needed on board for where they were operating at a recent Marine Safety Officer check of their boat at North Haven. They were 100% compliant and the Marine Safety Officer who chatted with them mentioned the young man’s knowledge of the safety equipment requirements was outstanding!

Making sure you have the correct safety gear on board is vital to help you if you are unlucky enough to get into trouble out on the water.

Don’t forget to check what you need to have on board with the Marine Safety SA online safety equipment checking tool here.

Marine Safety SA Facebook page

Don’t forget to follow the Department for Infrastructure and Transport Marine Safety SA Facebook page. The page helps Marine Safety SA to provide updates on all things boating safety in South Australia while keeping you up to date with current recreational boating rules and regulations on the water.

Please leave a comment on the page to let Marine Safety SA know what you would like to see in future posts.

Marine Safety SA school visits

Department for Infrastructure and Transport’s Marine Safety Officers recently visited schools including Victor Harbor High School and Port Lincoln High School to provide boating safety information to students.

Year 12 Victor Harbor High School Marine Studies students and Year 10 and 11 Aquaculture Studies students at Port Lincoln High School were keen participants in an educational boating safety session.

The session gave students to chance to ask questions about the rules to navigate safely, safety equipment needed including lifejackets and an opportunity to view one of the Marine Safety SA vessels.

At the end of the session students sat the theory examination to see if they could gain their full Boat Licence for those 16 years or over. Those aged 12-15 years had the opportunity to sit the Special Permit theory examination for younger operators.

Boat show lifejacket winner

Congratulations to Steve from Largs North who was the happy winner of the inflatable lifejacket for entering the Marine Safety SA Facebook competition as part of attending the SA Boat and Fishing Show in late October.

Marine Safety Sa would like to thank everyone who visited them during the boat show. It was great to speak to so many of you and assist with answering questions around safety equipment, servicing of lifejackets and more!

Come and see Marine Safety SA at the upcoming Summer Water Safety Promotion Day. This will take place on Thursday 30 November between 10am – 2pmRundle Mall, under the Gawler Place Canopy. This Summer Water Safety Promotion has been organised by the SA Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM) as an initiative of the SA Water Safety Committee, to bring agencies involved with water safety together to promote a united summer safety message.