Time to get on board the Old4New lifejacket program

With the Old4New lifejacket upgrade program available at next week's Dowerin Field Days, skippers from farming areas are being told there's no better time to commit to always wearing one when out on the water.

Department of Transport (DoT) Manager Safety Education Laurie Adams said the Old4New lifejacket upgrade program, delivered in conjunction with the Royal Life Saving Society of Western Australia, allowed skippers to exchange their old, damaged, obsolete or foam filled lifejacket for a voucher for use at a local retail outlet when purchasing a new lifejacket.

"In the past two years more than 2,000 lifejackets and vouchers to upgrade at a retail store have been provided as part of the program - taking the same number of unsafe lifejackets off boats in WA," Mr Adams said.

"The program promotes the use of new modern comfortable lifejackets and aims to increase the number of boaters wearing a lifejacket because the statistics show those wearing one have a greater chance of survival in an emergency on the water. Marine investigation data shows that in 11 of the 18 deaths (61 per cent) on WA waters in the past two years wearing a lifejacket could have saved their life.

"The arrival of spring next week will see skippers returning to the water after a winter break and it is vital they check their safety gear, the boat and its equipment remains in good working order."

Limits and restrictions are in place to ensure the benefits of the program apply to as many vessels as possible so people who want to participate should check the guidelines at the Lifejackets page.

Old4New will be available at the Marine Safety Education Trailer on both days of the Dowerin Field Days on August 29 and 30, 2018.

To get the latest boating safety information like MarineSafetyWA on Facebook or visit the Marine Safety section.

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