HomeMarine Safety SA   South Australian Recreational Boating Safety Strategy

South Australian Recreational Boating Safety Strategy

Consultation closed at 5:00 pm on 6 September 2024.

We’re developing the first ever South Australian Recreational Boating Safety Strategy. The strategy is a 5-year plan that focuses on improving safety for recreational boaters and others who share our state's coastal and inland waters.

Why we need the strategy

More and more boaters, jet ski riders, paddleboarders and other watercraft users are making the most of our coastal and inland waters. Unfortunately, incidents do occur.

In the last 20 years, 69 people lost their lives on South Australian waterways while boating in powered and non-powered watercraft.

There are many more cases of boaters who:

  • experienced near misses
  • had accidents
  • required rescue after a trip went wrong.

We need a practical plan to create a safer future for everyone who enjoys our coastal and inland waters.

What we've done so far

We invited community and stakeholders to provide feedback and help inform the development of the strategy.

Stage 1

Consultation from 10 November 2023 to 5 January 2024 helped to:

  • unearth issues
  • contribute to solutions that enhance safety across our coastline and waterways.

The following provided valuable input in developing the Priority Areas paper:

  • feedback from more than 1,600 community members and interested organisations
  • supporting evidence.

The paper detailed five priority areas for recreational boating safety to guide us through to 2030.

Stage 2

Consultation from 2 August 2024 to 6 September 2024 sought feedback on the five priority areas and measures to improve recreational boating safety.

The priority areas consulted on were:

  • increasing boating safety education opportunities for young people, boaters and retailers
  • using technology to improve boating safety
  • reviewing requirements for lifejacket wear and safety equipment to make them simpler and safer for all
  • boat licence reform to encourage safer operation and knowledge
  • supporting and enforcing safer boater behaviours.

Next steps

We are now reviewing and considering feedback received in stage two. It will help to inform development of the final South Australian Recreational Boating Safety Strategy.

More information

For any questions, contact the Marine Safety SA team by email at DIT.MarineSafety@sa.gov.au.