Stay Afloat with us
Lifejackets are one of the most important pieces of safety equipment when boating.
Airtight knowledge and regular maintenance are crucial to keep yourself and your loved ones safe on the water.
Our Stay Afloat lifejacket clinics will share boating safety information at boat ramps and key events across the State.
Visit our Stay Afloat clinics to:
- learn how to wear and maintain your lifejacket
- know what safety gear you need
- understand emergency communications
- ask any other boating safety questions.
Marine Safety SA can also help you understand the different types of lifejackets, and how to clean, size and fit a lifejacket.
The clinics are free and walk-in friendly. No bookings required!
Personal assistance
Need help with a specific lifejacket? Bring it along!
Marine Safety SA will help you to maintain your lifejacket using a checklist (PDF, 108 KB).
Some lifejacket replacement parts will also be available free of charge.
Upcoming clinics
Stay Afloat clinics will be open for four hours at the locations and times listed below.
Clinics are subject to weather conditions and may be cancelled or rescheduled. Please check this page or follow us on Facebook to get the latest updates before each event.
A lifejacket maintenance session will occur during one hour of each clinic.
Location | Date | Time | Lifejacket maintenance session |
|---|---|---|---|
Port Adelaide - Dockside Festival | Saturday, 8 February 2025 | 9am – 5pm | 10am – 11am |
Port Adelaide - Dockside Festival | Sunday, 9 February 2025 | 9am – 5pm | 11am – 12pm |
West Beach boat ramp | Friday, 21 February 2025 | 9am – 1pm | 10am – 11am |
North Haven boat ramp | Sunday, 23 February 2025 | 9am – 1pm | 10am – 11am |
Victor Harbor boat ramp | Friday, 28 February 2025 | 9am – 1pm | 10am – 11am |
O’Sullivans Beach boat ramp | Saturday, 8 March 2025 | 10am – 2pm | 11am – 12pm |
West Beach boat ramp | Friday, 14 March 2025 | 9am – 1pm | 10am – 11am |
Lucindale Field Day | Friday, 21 March 2025 Saturday, 22 March 2025 | 9am – 5pm | 10am – 11am |
North Haven boat ramp | Saturday, 29 March 2025 | 9am – 1pm | 10am – 11am |
Ardrossan boat ramp | Saturday, 5 April 2025 | 9am – 1pm | 10am – 11am |
Largs Bay | Saturday, 12 April 2025 | 9am – 1pm | 10am – 11am |
Renmark boat ramp | Friday, 18 April 2025 | 9am – 1pm | 10am – 11am |
Barmera boat ramp | Saturday, 19 April 2025 | 9am – 1pm | 10am – 11am |
Wallaroo boat ramp | Thursday, 24 April 2025 | 9am – 1pm | 10am – 11am |
Lifejackets save lives
Lifejackets are the most important piece of safety equipment when boating.
Over the last 20 years, boating-related incidents were the second leading cause of drowning deaths in South Australia. A total of 65 lives were lost through to June 2024. Of these 65 drowning deaths, only one person was known to be wearing a lifejacket.
Drowning data has been provided by the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia from the National Fatal Drowning Database.
Airtight lifejacket knowledge and regular maintenance is crucial to keep yourself and your loved ones safe on the water.
South Australia’s Recreational Boating Safety Strategy
The Stay Afloat clinics are one of the first initiatives from South Australia’s Recreational Boating Safety Strategy.
The strategy’s vision is to:
- foster a culture of safety among recreational boaters
- achieve zero fatalities and zero harm to others.
Read more about the strategy.