The Andrews Labor Government is urging Victorians to be safer on the water this summer with the launch of Maritime Safety Victoria’s summer safety campaign - ‘Wear a lifejacket or wear the consequences’.
Minister for Ports Luke Donnellan today launched the safety campaign at Station Pier, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the introduction of lifejacket laws in Victoria.
Victoria is about to enter the peak boating season and recreational boaters and watercraft users need to understand the importance of being equipped with a lifejacket and wearing one as a normal part of every trip.
Transport Safety Victoria figures show:
- Of the 1,286 recreational boating incidents in 2014-15, 3.3 per cent resulted in death, serious injury or loss of the vessel – the three worst outcomes
- 9 fewer people have died boating in the past 10 years compared with the 10 years before these laws were introduced
Mr Donnellan also announced the recruitment of 25 additional Boating Safety Officers to promote safety standards at high use boating locations in an effort to reach out to more than the 10,000 boaters across the state.
The additional Boating Safety Officers are funded out of the Government’s $8 million 2015-16 Boating Safety and Facilities Program (BSFP).
Funding from the BSFP also supports local boating groups, local councils and other community organisations for projects that make recreational boating safer and more accessible for all Victorians.
Maritime Safety Victoria will continue to work closely with boaters to increase their knowledge and awareness of, and compliance with, our relevant marine safety laws.
For more information about boating safety, visit
Quotes attributable to Minister for Ports Luke Donnellan
“Victorians need to wear a lifejacket or wear the consequences. Summer is a time to enjoy with family and friends, but there are still preventable deaths and injuries occurring on the water that shouldn’t be happening.”
“Life jackets are for boaters, what seat belts are for drivers. I don’t want any Victorian to forget that this summer when they’re on the water.”
Quotes attributable to the CEO of the Boating Industry Association of Victoria Steven Potts
“All boaters can help us enhance the reputation of boating as a safe and fun activity by wearing their lifejackets and being a role model for people taking it up.”
Quotes attributable to Director of Maritime Safety for Transport Safety Victoria Peter Corcoran
“In the case of any emergency on the water the first line of survival is to keep afloat and have a means of raising the alarm.”
Reviewed 10 February 2021