Old4New lifejacket upgrade at Mandurah Crab Fest

Skippers visiting the upcoming Mandurah Crab Fest will have an opportunity to participate in the Department of Transport's (DoT) successful Old4New lifejacket upgrade program.

DoT Safety Education Manager Laurie Adams said the waterside event in the State's busiest boating locations would boost the number of skippers to benefit from the program, delivered in conjunction with the Royal Life Saving Society of Western Australia.

Mr Adams said skippers visiting DoT's Marine Safety Education Trailer at Crab Fest could hand in old, damaged, obsolete or foam filled lifejackets and purchase a new modern inflatable lifejacket for $65.

He said to ensure maximum benefits from the program there were strict limits on the number of lifejackets available for purchase and also on discount vouchers to be handed out for use at participating retailers.

"To avoid disappointment it's important that people wanting to participate in the program read the Old4New guidelines at www.transport.wa.gov.au/lifejackets to check if their jackets qualify for an upgrade and to find out more information."

Boat owners are also reminded that temporary on water closures and special arrangements are in place for Crab Fest 2017 (March 18 and 19, 2017) including:

• Waters downstream of the Old Mandurah Traffic Bridge to a location drawn from Carter Street, north east to Dorsodura Way and the entry/exit of the Port Mandurah canals, will be closed for the ski show and fireworks display on Saturday 18th March 2017 from 11:30 am until 9:30 pm and for the ski show on Sunday 19th March 2017 from 10 am until 3 pm.
• A vessel holding area will be established downstream from the location drawn from Carter Street north east to Dorsodura Way for the fireworks display.
• Vessels will not be permitted to anchor within a 250 metre radius of the fireworks launching area and there will be no entry permitted to the closed waters.

DoT Marine Officers will be patrolling during the event to monitor safety compliance and assist members of the local boating community.

For more information about the on water arrangements for the event boat owners can contact 1300 863 308.

The Old4New program will operate as part of Crab Fest from 10 am to 11 am on Saturday March 18, 2017 at DoT's Marine Safety Education Trailer located on the Mandurah Terrace foreshore (north of the children's playground).

Media contact: media@transport.wa.gov.au