As we head into the long weekend, Tasmania’s recreational boating community is encouraged to take advantage of the incentive to surrender potentially dangerous outdated life jackets.
Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) is encouraging recreational boaters and licence holders to transition to new AS4758.1 life jackets by 2020, through its $200,000 Life Jacket Replacement voucher incentive program.
Each voucher has a value of $20 and is redeemable when purchasing a new AS4758.1 life jacket, with the relinquishment of an old life jacket.
The new life jacket was introduced in 2010 and MAST advised that older life jackets (AS1512, 1499 and 2260) would be phased out by 2020.
The rationale for a 10-year transition period was based on advice from manufacturers that the average lifespan of a life jacket is 10 years.
Vouchers can be obtained from MAST staff, at Boatsafe Education events, as well as Boat Safe or Paddle Safe partners.
A maximum of four vouchers will be issued per registered boat owner or licence holder.
To date, 6149 vouchers have been distributed and 3154 redeemed.
One of the most important boating safety measures we can promote, is to ensure everyone has a reliable life jacket that could help save your life.
All recreational boaters should check their life jackets, as it’s a small investment to make to ensure maximum protection for you and your family.