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National | Maritime Safety Authority of New Zealand

Boaties getting the lifejacket message

New research into recreational boating behaviour by Maritime New Zealand shows that more boaties are wearing lifejackets while out on the water.

In 2015, 78 percent of recreational boaties reported wearing a lifejacket the entire time while out on the water. This is up from 67 percent in 2014, and 62 percent in 2013.

Maritime New Zealand Deputy Director, Lindsay Sturt, says this change is important because of the "tragic statistic that two-thirds of recreational boating fatalities would likely have been prevented by wearing a life jacket."

Last year 24 people died in recreational boating accidents compared to 27 in 2014.

Mr Sturt says, “The focus of our summer safer boating campaign is to encourage boaties to wear lifejackets all the time,”

We know about 94 per cent of boaties carry enough lifejackets for everyone on board, but it is wearing them that counts. A lifejacket is no good unless it’s being worn.”

Maritime New Zealand also publicises boating incidents to give real life examples of the consequences of not taking sensible precautions and also of good boating behaviour.

For more information on how you can stay safe on the water, visit the Maritime New Zealand website.