Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
BREAKING NEWS – New life jacket laws for Queensland
New regulations surrounding life jacket usage in Queensland are set to come into effect from December 1, 2024.
However, there has been no word from the current government, even though these new laws were approved in late September.
This beckons the questions – Why has the government delayed the announcement of the new laws – something to do with an election?
The community is sick and tired of governments playing games with the community.
I have mentioned in my editorials of late that changes needed to happen.
However, have these changes gone far enough to protect the boating and fishing community.
Changes from December 1, 2024 include the following.
You will need to wear your life jacket if:
- you’re boating alone, or only with children under 12 years on an open ship less than 4.8 metres in length whilst underway
- you’re crossing a designated coastal bar on an open ship and on an open area of a ship of any length
- you’re boating between sunset and sunrise on an open boat less than 4.8 metres in length whilst underway.
From December 1, 2024, you will also need to make sure children one year or more and under 12 years on an open boat or an open area of a ship of any length whilst underway are also wearing a life jacket.
From April 30, 2025, life jackets must be made to the current Australian Standard (AS 4758).
In a gazette notice separate to the regulation, from December 1, 2024, you will need to wear a lifejacket when crossing a coastal bar on certain craft – where craft means vessels in the style of and with a risk profile of:
- Small sail boats (fun boats, lasers, herons)
- Pedal boats
- Rafts, including inflatable rafts
- Rowboats
- Sea and surf kayaks
Note: craft does not include vessels in the style of and with a risk profile of body boards, surf boards, boogie boards, wind surfers or kite surfers.
#New life jacket laws for Queensland
Rules to protect the stupid that impact on me get up my goat. The rule requiring adults to wear a jacket if the boat is under 4.8m regardless of location, activity or weather conditions is over the top.
If I now take my little tinnie up the creek crabbing I have to wear a lifejacket to make me safer. Hotter, more uncomfortable but not safer. Good for lifejacket makers and retailers, jackets will wear out faster.
A person using their tender to get to shore will have to put a lifejacket on. Will this apply to rowing, the tender will be underway, as well?
Offshore, where jackets make more sense, is usually done in boats over 4.8m and these rules do not apply.
I have no issue with children on a moving boat wearing a jacket, my kids always did.
These blanket regulations that make it easier to fine people, and have the fine stick, so are simply revenue raisers. What are the statistics that support the notion that this rule will make adults ‘safer’? And incidents involving drunken antics or ignoring the weather conditions should be excluded. Why 4.8m, what is magic about that number?
Bureaucrats know that ‘we are keeping you safe’ can be used to justify shoddy rules.
What is the basis life of a PFD 150 with no wear and tear, we have PFD’s that were manufactured in 2022 with no expiry date?