Compulsory lifejackets

[Elenya 33]

A quote below from the Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/artic ... d=11165938) so it must be true if it came from the media.

 

"The club's submission said a more effective and efficient way of reaching the target group of new immigrants about safety issues would be through a boat ramp campaign.

Boats could be checked for safety equipment, overloading, compliance and navigation bylaw knowledge.

The club has criticised the compulsory wearing of lifejackets in boats of 6m or less, saying the council's case is not backed up with proof."

 

I like line three, Boats could be checked ........

 

Sounds like a compulsory level of equipment and boat standard of construction/use, and a level of knowledge is what they want.

 

[wheels 543]

Looks like we are going to need to push for life Jackets to be worn at pools.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9479130 ... ngton-pool

[Adrianp 120]

Sounds like a heart attack that lead to drowning - I wonder if that gets recorded as a drowning or heart attack in the statistics.

 

Earlier this year, my uncle appears to have had a heart attack and fell out of his boat into Lake Taupo, about 300m from shore. Witnesses saw him trying to swim to shore before he slipped below the surface. Police found his body in 8ft of water where the witnesses saw him go down. I believe it was officially recorded as a Heart Attack, not drowning but it would be interesting to see.

[Guest]

.appears to have had a heart attack and fell out of his boat into Lake Taupo, about 300m from shore. Witnesses saw him trying to swim to shore before he slipped below the surface.

Would seem to be a very good reason to be wearing a life jacket when alone.

[Guest]

Ah, yet another law I'll be breaking with regularity.

 

Hate to think how many that is now but it's gotta be will into double figures........ at least the ones I know about, could be triple figures for all I know.

[Chewing Gum 17]

I would imagine the likes of small coastal towns such as Coromandel will lose out on some business over this law. I for one will be a very unhappy chappy if I am bailed up for not wearing a lifejacket going ashore in flat calm water in my unsinkable inflatable.

This really winds me up, how many thousands of fibreglass fizzboats have being going around the NZ coast for years without incident and what is so special about 6 metres?

As others have said education at the boat ramps and checking for unsafe craft would be far more useful and less draconian for the rest of us.

If they are serious about saving lives reduce the alcohol limit to zero for drivers and that would do way more good.

[Grinna 2]

.appears to have had a heart attack and fell out of his boat into Lake Taupo, about 300m from shore. Witnesses saw him trying to swim to shore before he slipped below the surface.

Would seem to be a very good reason to be wearing a life jacket when alone.

 

Lifejackets don't stop you from having a heart attack. The only difference in outcome would have been that he might not have slipped below the surface. Ever tried to swim 300m in a lifejacket? …. while having a heart attack? The presence of a lifejacket would not have changed the outcome of this particular incident at all.

[DrWatson 375]

I think I'd rather slip under the waves and drown than survive a heart attack after too long without medical help. Post-heart attack help has to be pretty quick (depending on the heart attack). If you do live through a big one, it's likely you'll be dribbling onto your shirt in a high-care home for the rest of your miserable days.

 

Of course I say this having not had a heart attack and not being in imminent danger of drowning.

[otto 31]

Ok let's say this rule come in and it's for all boats 6mtrs or under.

Where does it say how a boat is measured for this rule ?

[B00B00 310]

Otto, you thinking a 3.35m prod for your 2.7m dinghy would solve that problem?

[otto 31]

Otto, you thinking a 3.35m prod for your 2.7m dinghy would solve that problem?

 

Now seriously, 2mtr prod and an outboard on a stern hung bracket 700 off the back

[Adrianp 120]

.appears to have had a heart attack and fell out of his boat into Lake Taupo, about 300m from shore. Witnesses saw him trying to swim to shore before he slipped below the surface.

Would seem to be a very good reason to be wearing a life jacket when alone.

 

Lifejackets don't stop you from having a heart attack. The only difference in outcome would have been that he might not have slipped below the surface. Ever tried to swim 300m in a lifejacket? …. while having a heart attack? The presence of a lifejacket would not have changed the outcome of this particular incident at all.

 

Agree, as did the rest of the family. At least he was doing what he loved when his time came!

[Steve_C 0]

In that particular case maybe not, help was possibly too far away, but I've seen rescues happen very quick in the Waitemata, and a number of vessels now carry defib's Coastguard vessels carry them for a start, and all Coastguard volunteers are trained to use them (even admin and air crew).

 

I've seen rescue vessels get on scene in less than 10 mins, so if you happen to be in the right place at the right time a life jacket may save you....

 

Also , 300 M is not far from shore, and with the effect of cold water on this guys system it might have given rescuers added time, this stuff isn't an exact science, as the heart need to be out of synch for the defib to work anyway.......

[Adrianp 120]

Council Committe decision can be found here:

http://infocouncil.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/Open/2013/12/RBC_20131203_AGN_4215_AT.PDF

 

Good news is that it contains some common sense:

 

Due to the nature and circumstances of the sailing/boating activity, there are instances that it

would be impractical and contrary to common sense to enforce a compulsory wearing of lifejackets. Therefore, the proposed bylaw has a number of exemptions to the compulsory rule, in summary:

a person wearing wetsuits (divers, kite boarders etc), life saving boats,

surfboarders, organised sporting events and small dinghies travelling between

large boats or the shore

a person training or participating in a sporting event (subject the harbourmaster

being satisfied with the users/events safety practices and procedures)

any person below deck on board small vessels six metres or under, as it is

impractical to sleep while wearing a lifejacket and a requirement to do so will be

unenforceable

any person aged fifteen or older on board a vessel six metres or under, travelling

less than five knots in day light, in sheltered waters.

[JK 28]

Interesting the proposed council bylaw text makes reference to NZ Standard 5826 which relates to Pool Water Quality & not NZS5823 which relates to Specification for Buoyancy Aids and Marine Safety Harnesses.

 

From the proposed bylaw:

Personal flotation device means any buoyancy aid that is designed to be worn on the bodythat

meets:

(a) a standard in New Zealand Standard 5826:2005 applicable to such buoyancy aids, or

( a national or international standard that the director is satisfied substantially complies with a

standard in New Zealand Standard 5826:2005applicable to such buoyancy aids.

 

From the Standards NZ Website:

NZS 5826:2010

Pool water quality

 

NZS 5826 addresses the essential aspects of the operation and maintenance of pools with a focus on pool water quality criteria including methods of water treatment to ensure the risk to public health is minimised. NZS 5826 does not cover the maintenance of heating, mechanical, or electrical equipment used by pools. The design of swimming pools is covered by NZS 4441. This Standard covers all treated freshwater and seawater swimming pools, spa pools, and geothermal public and private pools, during use.

 

NZS 5823:2005

Specification for buoyancy aids and marine safety harnesses and lines

 

Sets out general and specific requirements for the following types of buoyancy aids for surface water use such as boating and water skiing: coastal lifejackets for use in coastal waters; lifejackets for use in sheltered waters; buoyancy vests; buoyancy aid wet suits; buoyancy garments; rescue buoys; float-off buoyancy aids and specialist lifejackets. Also covers selection of the various buoyancy aids and their care. Sets out requirements for safety harnesses and lines for use by yachtsmen and other boat users. Specifies general design requirements, constructional requirements, test methods and requirements for individual components, together with a performance test and labeling requirements for the finished article.

[DrWatson 375]

sooooo, do we have any comments?

 

at first glance, from the above extract, it seems that someone with some skill may have been involved in the writing of said bylaw...

[DrWatson 375]

So after wading through +100 pages of bureaucratic decision making and hurt-feelings avoidance techniques, I copy blow what i believe to be the actual wording of the proposed bylaw.

 

Seems they removed the five knot limitation (sad) and paddle boarders still have to have life jackets unless they lie down and paddle like a surfboarder....

 

Otherwise yacht tenders are covered.

 

 

Part 2

Carriage and wearing of personal floatation devices

 

7 Safety of persons on board a vessel

(1) The person in charge of a vessel is responsible for the safety and wellbeing of every person on board and for the safe operation of the vessel, including the carriage and wearing of personal floatation devices by persons on board the vessel.

(2) No vessel may leave the shore unless a person in charge of the vessel has been nominated.

 

8 Carriage of personal flotation devices

(1) No person in charge of a vessel shall use it unless there are sufficient personal flotation devices on board at all times that the vessel is in use.

(2) Personal flotation devices must be:

(a) in a readily accessible location on board the vessel; and

( of an appropriate size for each person on board.

 

9 Wearing of personal flotation devices on vessels larger than 6 metres

(1) No person in charge of a vessel of more than six metres length overall may use that vessel in circumstances where tides, river flows, visibility, rough seas, adverse weather, emergencies or other situations cause danger or a risk to the safety of persons on board, unless every person on board is wearing a properly secured personal flotation device of an appropriate size for that person.

(2) A person on board a vessel must wear a properly secured personal flotation device of an

appropriate size for that person if the vessel becomes unseaworthy.

 

10 Wearing of personal flotation devices on smallvessels

(1) Every person on board a small vessel must wear a properly secured personal flotation device of an appropriate size for that person at all times.

11 Exemptions to the compulsory wearing of personal flotation devices on small vessels

(1) Clauses 8, 9 and 10 do not apply to:

 

(a) any sailboarder, paddle boarder or kite boarder, wearing a wetsuit;

 

( a diver on a small vessel that is used for recreational diving within five nautical miles of shore, wearing a full body dive suit;

 

© a person training for or participating in a sporting event, if the training or the event is supervised in accordance with the safety system of a sporting organisation approved by the harbourmaster or the director. The harbourmaster or the director may approve a sporting organisation if that organisation has in place a safety system that the harbourmaster or

director is satisfied provides an equivalent level of safety to the carriage or wearing of personal flotation devices;

 

(d) a sporting event, training activity, ceremonial or other authorised customary event if-

(i) a support vessel that is capable of providing adequate assistance in the event of an emergency remains in the immediate vicinity of the vessel and the vessel or support vessel or both carry personal flotation devices or buoyancy aids of an appropriate size for each person on board the vessel; or

(ii) the harbourmaster or the director has granted prior written exemption.

 

(2) Clause 10 does not apply to any person that is below deck on a small vessel anchored in sheltered waters or that is securely moored alongside a wharf, quay, jetty or pontoon.

 

(3) Clause 10 does not apply to any person above the age of 15 years on board a small vessel used to transit in sheltered waters between vessels or the shore during the hours of daylight. For the avoidance of doubt, except as provided for under clause 11(1) and (2), a person on board a small vessel aged fifteen years or below must wear a properly secured personal flotation device of an appropriate size for that person at all times.

[Guest]

Pretty tough to define:

 

may use that vessel in circumstances where tides, river flows, visibility, rough seas, adverse weather, emergencies or other situations cause danger or a risk to the safety of persons on board.

 

 

Getting out of bed in the morning is a risk to your safety, but wait, so is staying in bed. Woe is me.

 

Otherwise they seem to have cleaned it up a bit.

[grant 40]

Pretty tough to define:

 

may use that vessel in circumstances where tides, river flows, visibility, rough seas, adverse weather, emergencies or other situations cause danger or a risk to the safety of persons on board.

 

 

Getting out of bed in the morning is a risk to your safety, but wait, so is staying in bed. Woe is me.

 

Otherwise they seem to have cleaned it up a bit.

 

actually Ogre that's one of the existing bits, been in there for about 12 years....

 

If you put lawyers on to it several parts are hard to define, however they are usually the bits that make it workable, AC seem to have made nice work of covering a lot of very different circumstances.

[Chewing Gum 17]

My comment would be that my RIB is never going to sink and I would far rather stay in it than float around in the sea in a lifejacket. To those who say never say never I have purposefully deflated one aft pontoon to see what happens and it stays afloat quite happily. I would rather keep my PFDs in good orderfor a real emergency, not knocked around in the bottom of my RIB.

having said that we do wear them in the RIB for fishing expeditions or longer trips in rough water. Has anyone ever heard of commonsense ?