Get on board with lifejacket safety

Lives continue to be lost every year in Australia when people go overboard from vessels, without a lifejacket. The simple truth is lifejackets save lives, but only if they’re worn. It’s time to get on board with lifejacket safety.
Left: A seafarer secures his lifejacket. Right: A woman kisses a child. The words 'Wear it for them. Get on board with lifejacket safety' appear in the middle of the image.

Excuses, excuses

A lifejacket significantly increases your chances of survival if you go overboard. Without a lifejacket, the odds are not in your favour.  

We’ve heard all the excuses for not wearing a lifejacket. No excuse is ever good enough for the grieving families left behind after losing a loved one at sea who wasn’t wearing a lifejacket when they went overboard.

A lifejacket is a lifeline. Wear it, for them.  

Video: Get on board with lifejacket safety - Wear it, for them.
Transcript: Get on board with lifejacket safety - Wear it, for them

00:02
I've heard them all.

00:03
Nah thanks mate,

00:04
I'm a strong swimmer.

00:06
Done this plenty.

0:07
Haven't ended up

00:08
in the drink once.

00:10
You want me to be able to move,

00:11
don't you?

00:13
That's when I tell them, mate,

00:15
your lifejacket

00:16
is protecting a lot

00:17
more than just you.

00:19
And that's when the penny drops.

00:21
A lifejacket is a lifeline.

00:23
Wear it for them.

00:26
Get on board with lifejacket safety.

Lifejacket guidance

If you’re a commercial vessel owner, operator, master or crew, you’ll need to comply with lifejacket standards that apply for the kind and class of vessel under the National Standard for Commercial Vessels. Get guidance on:

If you’re a recreational boater, refer to your state or territory maritime safety authority for the lifejacket standards which apply to recreational boating.

Video: Get on board with lifejacket safety - Don't risk it. Risk assess it.
Transcript: Get on board with lifejacket safety - Don't risk it, risk assess it

00:03
As an owner or operator

00:04
of a commercial vessel,

00:06
you know the risks of your operation

00:08
better than anyone -

00:10
including those times

00:11
when it's vital for your crew

00:13
and passengers

00:14
to be wearing lifejackets.

00:16
Mitigating the safety risks

00:18
associated with these situations

00:20
is essential.

00:22
Think it through.

00:23
Include lifejacket wear

00:25
in your risk assessment

00:26
and written procedures.

00:28
Detail when,

00:29
where,

00:31
and in what

00:31
circumstances lifejackets

00:33
need to be worn by you,

00:35
your crew,

00:36
or your passengers.

00:39
Don't risk it,

00:40
risk assess it.

00:42
Get on board with lifejacket safety.

What can I do to make a difference?

Wear a lifejacket when you’re on the water. Show your family, friends and crew that you’re on board with lifejacket safety.  

Like, share and champion our lifejacket safety messages on our social media channels.

Want to do more? Contact communication@amsa.gov.au with your ideas.

Social media tiles

Social media tile featuring 2 images - one of a male seafarer securing his lifejacket, and one of a mother kissing a child. The tile features the words 'Wear it. For them. Get on board with lifejacket safety.'
Social media tile #1 Wear it. For them.
Social media tile featuring a male seafarer standing on the deck of a vessel. He's holding a clipboard and pen and wearing a lifejacket. The tile includes the words: Don't risk it. Risk assess it. Get on board with Lifejacket risk assessment.
Social media tile #2 Don't risk it. Risk assess it.

 

Social media tile featuring an image of 2 male seafarers standing on the deck of a vessel. One (already wearing a lifejacket) looks on as the other secures his lifejacket. The tile features the words: 'Their safety is in your hands. Get on board with lifejacket safety.'
Social media tile #3 Their safety is in your hands.
Last updated: 26 September 2024

I am a...