Boating safety reinforced as Old4New visits Geraldton

The importance of safety on the water will be in the spotlight next week as the Department of Transport's (DoT) very successful Old4New lifejacket upgrade program visits Geraldton.

The Old4New opportunity which is part of a visit to the region by DoT's Marine Safety Education Trailer, gives skippers a chance to exchange old, damaged, obsolete or foam filled lifejackets for a voucher to be used when purchasing a new one.

DoT Safety Education Manager Laurie Adams said the popularity of boating in Geraldton had seen it targeted to boost the number of regional skippers benefiting from the Old4New program, delivered in conjunction with the Royal Life Saving Society of Western Australia.

"People visiting the safety trailer will also be able to get the latest safe boating advice from education officers and view proposed changes to aquatic use areas off the Geraldton coast as part of the review announced by DoT last month and available for comment until May 26, 2017 (www.transport.wa.gov.au/geraldtonreview)," Mr Adams said.

Skippers can visit the trailer at the following locations:

• Batavia Coast Marina Boat Ramp Friday April 28, 2017. Old4New opportunity between 9:00 am and 10:00 am only.
• Geraldton Show Saturday April 29 - Sunday April 30, 2017.

The Old4New initiative spearheads a State-wide education campaign promoting the benefits of wearing lifejackets at all times while boating.

"The aim is to change people's behaviour and improve the safety of people who enjoy boating in WA," Mr Adams said.

"Voucher limits and restrictions are in place to ensure the benefits of the program apply to as many vessels as possible. 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."

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