Marine Safety SA December 2024 Newsletter
- Is your lifejacket compliant?
- Is your safety equipment ‘Ship Shape’ for boating?
- Keep a safe distance from other fishers
- Skipper the elf is back this festive season
- Safety signage in the Riverland
- National Water Safety Day 2024
- Be safe near big ships
- Is your lifejacket Ship Shape?
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Is your lifejacket compliant?
From 1 January 2025, all lifejackets worn for boating in South Australia must meet Australian Standard (AS) 4758.
Boaters could be fined if they wear a lifejacket that does not meet AS 4758.
The standard should be displayed clearly on the label.
South Australian lifejacket laws help to keep you and your loved ones safe. This amendment to the Harbors and Navigation Regulations was made in February 2022 to further improve boating safety.
Lifejackets that meet AS 4758:
- have increased buoyancy
- incorporate new technology
- consider advances in lifejacket design and manufacture
- have increased reflectivity
- will display a level 50, 50S, 100, 150+.
Learn more about the new lifejacket requirements. https://marinesafety.sa.gov.au/news?a=1443896
Safety
Is your safety equipment ship shape for boating?
Photo above: Gear up with all your safety equipment for boating
As you gear up for the school holidays make sure you plan ahead and have all boating safety essentials.
It’s the busiest time of year for our Marine Safety Officers. They will be visiting locations across the State to check everyone has up-to-date safety gear on board.
They are also always willing to have a chat and answer any questions.
Southern Bluefin tuna season
Keep a safe distance from other fishers
Photo Above: Keeping your distance from other fishing vessels
As we head into summer, many recreational fishers will be taking advantage of the season by trying to catch Southern Bluefin Tuna.
If you are one of them, be mindful of your fishing limits and share the water safely with nearby commercial fishing operations.
Commercial fishing vessels often move very slowly. The cage they tow can also be 100m or more behind.
Keeping a safe distance and speed is important as:
- any boat can get tangled in tow cages
- smaller vessels can overturn if they collide with tow cages.
If you are heading into unprotected waters, make sure you have the correct safety equipment on board. The safety equipment and lifejacket you need depends on the size of your boat, where you are fishing and who you're with.
If you see inappropriate or unsafe activities on our waters, report the incident online. If the unsafe activity endangers human life, contact SA Police on 131 444.
There are plenty of fish in the sea, so let’s all share the water safely and be respectful to each other.
Education
Skipper the elf is back this festive season
Photo above: Skipper on patrol with our Marine Safety boat
Keep an eye out for Skipper on our Marine Safety SA vessels and Facebook page to hear boating safety tips.
Skipper’s festive season and school holiday tips are:
- Your lifejacket is your lifeline. Use the lifejacket checking tool to see which type you need.
- Ensure your safety equipment is up to date and on board, prior to launching your boat. Remember, safety gear is only helpful if accessible in an emergency.
- Learn your correct speed. Where there is no signed speed limit, boat operators must travel at a speed that allows time to stop or turn to avoid sudden danger.
Safety signage in the Riverland
Photo (above): Stay safe on the water signage installed across boat ramps in the Riverland
New Stay Safe on the Water signage has been installed across the Riverland at various boat ramps to remind boaters and water users to check which lifejacket they need and report marine safety concerns including hazards, unsafe use of a boat or jetski, excessive speed and failure to wear a lifejacket. Locations include boat ramps at:
- Berri
- Bookpurnong
- Paringa
- Renmark
- Lyrup
- Plush’s Bend
- Lock 4
The signage includes QR codes direct to online tools to check your lifejacket and report concerns. If you are heading to the River Murray this Christmas holiday period, operate with care and share the water safely with all users.
Community engagement
National Water Safety Day 2024
Photo (above): Marine Safety SA team member, Alicia, engaging with locals at the National Water Safety Day event in Mannum.
The annual National Water Safety Day was held on Sunday, 1 December.
SA Police, Royal Life Saving Society SA and other Riverland stakeholders joined us on deck at Mary Ann Reserve, in Mannum, to promote water safety.
Events like this provide a timely reminder to stay safe around water.
Last year, 41% of all drowning deaths occurred during the summer months. The River Murray was identified as the top inland waterway blackspot for drowning in Australia.
Whether you’re at the beach, pool, river, lake or at home, make water safety a top priority by:
- always actively supervising children in, on and around water
- learning swimming, water safety and lifesaving skills
- wearing a lifejacket when boating, rock fishing or paddling
- swimming at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags
- avoiding alcohol and drugs around water
- checking the conditions, including weather forecasts.
Anyone can drown, but no one should!
Safe operation
Be safe near big ships
Do you have a smaller boat?
Big ships can be interesting to look at, especially the large cruise ships that frequently visit our State. However, these ships have blind spots that can extend for many hundreds of metres and, in some cases, up to 1km.
You might be able to see them but chances are they won’t be able to see you.
Big ships’ blind spots combined with their effects on the waters around them pose significant hazards for nearby smaller boats.
Key points to keep in mind about big ships are:
- They can take 1-2km to stop.
- They can travel in excess of 20 knots and need to maintain speed in order to steer.
- The channels they operate within can extend from bank to bank, such as at Outer Harbor and upper sections of the Port River.
- The powerful engines of big ships and tugs can pull nearby smaller boats towards them.
- Water turbulence and bow waves can cause dangerous conditions for hundreds of metres behind the big ship.
Be responsible around big ships and keep a safe distance.
Learn more about keeping safe near commercial vessels (big ships).
Video of the month
Is your lifejacket Ship Shape?
Everyone on board your boat must have a lifejacket that is ship shape and meets the current Australian Standard.
Failing to carry or wear a compliant lifejacket carries a maximum penalty of $1,250.
Your lifejacket is your lifeline, but they are only useful if they are available, in good condition and suitable for your situation.
Check the type of lifejacket you need with our online checker tool.
Remember to regularly check all lifejackets for wear and tear, and service inflatable lifejackets in line with manufacturer’s instructions – generally once a year.