Easy to wear lifejackets ”“ a must for boating safety
“Commodore” Fenech with Ruchria Virmani and Mala Mehta – ready for a day on the water.
Mala Mehta and Ruchira Virmani of IABBV Hindi School modelled for Transport for NSW Water Safety campaign that urges everyone to embrace the modern range of comfortable and easy to wear safety devices while out on the water.
Mala Mehta’s stylish and comfortable navy inflatable yoke means she will be having a great day aboard the yacht.
On Sunday March 18, a fashion parade showed off some of the latest styles in lifejackets, as part of the Greek Festival of Sydney 2013 at Darling Harbour. The parade forms part of a Transport for NSW boating safety campaign aimed at promoting the use of lifejackets.
Lifejackets range from comfortable inflatable yoke styles to high visibility foam lifejackets and highly comfortable and unobtrusive “belt bags”, meaning there’s a style and design to suit everyone in all boating conditions.
Ruchria Virmani looking glamorous in her belt bag style lifejacket. While Paul Fenech’s finger points instructions.
“Gone are the days of the bulky lifejacket that always seems to be in the way, replaced by modern designs that are comfortable and easy to wear all day on the water,” the General Manager, Office of Boating Safety and Maritime Affairs Mr Howard Glenn said.
“The modern lifejacket is far more functional, comfortable and convenient to wear than ever before – meaning there is a lifejacket for everyone and every activity.
“And that means, there’s no excuse for not wearing one when you’re on the water.”
Modern lifejackets also cater to every boating situation, ranging from kayaking in sheltered waterways to offshore fishing and sailing in rough seas.
The most recent study of marine incidents in NSW found there were 167 boating fatalities and 575 serious injuries as a result of 3754 incidents over the past 10 years.
Those figures provide compelling evidence of the value of lifejackets in serious situations on the water said Mr Glenn.
“No one expects trouble when heading out for a day on the water and that’s exactly why we want wearing a lifejacket to be second nature to anyone before they even step foot on the deck of a vessel,” Mr Glenn said.
“Studies have told us that more than 90 per cent of people who died in NSW waterways were not wearing a lifejacket. That’s a disturbing fact when you consider the overwhelming majority of recreational vessel fatal incidents involve boats capsizing and people falling overboard.
“A lifejacket never ruined a day on the water ”“ but it could easily save your life,” Mr Glenn said.
Lifejackets are mandatory to have on board for every passenger on a vessel. Penalties apply for skippers who do not carry sufficient lifejackets and for boaters not wearing them when they are required.
Boaties are also reminded to regularly check on the condition of their lifejackets.
For more information, log onto lifejacketwearit.com.au
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