Boating in Tasmania – Long coastline > 3000 km – Few boats, approx 25,500 – Strong winds, in the roaring forties – Relatively cold water temperatures – Almost all recreational boating fatalities have involved boats out on their own

Recreational boating fatalities Tasmania traditionally had more fatalities than other Australian States Between October 1999 and January fatalities in Southern Tasmania Prompted a major review of boating safety Strong push from the local media

Rec boating safety review 2000 Review involved extensive consultation with boaters: – Survey of all boaters with 52% response rate – Wrote to all boating and fishing clubs – Series of statewide public meetings Review made 12 recommendations including: – Legislation for mandatory wearing of PFDs – Legislation for blood alcohol testing

Impact of implementing findings In Nov 2000 Government announced that: – PFDs would be mandatory for adults in all boats < 6metres when under power, and – For children < 12 years in all size boats Implementation was January 1, Chandlers reported heavy sales of PFDs particularly inflatables. Strong sales of other safety equipment

Impact on safety Before 2001 averaged 3.0 fatalities per year over previous 15 years in motor boats 1999 was a particularly bad year (12 dead) Average 1986 to 1998 was 2.1 per year. After 2001 averaged 1.0 fatality per year Decrease in fatalities occurred at a time when numbers of registered boats were increasing significantly (88%)

In summary since % more boats 50% less fatalities

LESSONS LEARNT IN TASMANIA 1. Enforcement not an issue 2. Very little public opposition and high level of compliance 3. Generally safety culture enhanced 4. Quality PFDs bought and proudly worn 1. Consistency of enforcement a problem 2. Boaters over 50 still do not have a lifejacket culture 3. Remote areas a problem 4. Non motorised boats an issue

Tasmanian Experience If you end up in the water you are always better off wearing a lifejacket. Most of the concerns about PFDs have not proved to be significant issues in practice. Some boaters will die wearing PFDs Modern PFD designs are comfortable Enforcement and encouragement go hand in hand

National data on rec boating Annually 50 die in rec boating accidents Almost all fatalities were in the water Survivors twice as likely to be wearing PFD Observation studies show that proportion wearing PFDs where it is voluntary is low – % in Queensland – % in New South Wales – But 54% in Victoria (immediately after introduction)

National data on fatalities 2005,06

Mandatory wearing in VIC and QLD Victoria introduced mandatory wearing PFDs by adults in boats <4.6 metres in 2006 Policy initiative driven by Government and not in response to incident history 3000 public responses Queensland require children < 12 in boats < 4.6 metres to wear PFDs

Heightened risk Victoria introduced concept of heightened risk as the policy requirement for PFDs – Crossing barways – Travelling alone – Travelling at night Incident patterns do not follow risk If you are in the water you are better off with a PFD

National data on fatalities 2005,06

Ireland, Australia are only countries with mandatory wearing of PFDs for adults Hot topic in USA, Canada, rest of Australia Arguments against are: – Education is better than legislation – Compulsion will detract from education – Hard to enforce – Hot, bulky, restrictive