NSW Maritime proposal to require PFDs

NSW Maritime is proposing that kitesurfers be required to wear PFDs when in any ocean waterway and when more than 100 metres from shore in sheltered waters.

NSWKBA had prepared and submitted a Position in response to feedback from Members and from feedback posted on SeaBreeze.

More information is available on the following SeaBreeze forum post in the NSWKBA area at:

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=59070

All NSW kiters are encouraged to go to the NSW Maritime link and post your own comments BEFORE 9 JANUARY.

www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/index.html

Well, I believe a new PFD option is already being worked on by a few proactive and daring kiters. Safety is at the forefront of their hard working intellects and I must take my neaprin binnie to this fine display of ingenuity.

A new line of assessories is also in the pipeline and I would expect the Kitesurfing community worldwide will take this trend at a speed matching the latest record at Luderitz. I believe these higly covert photos were snapped during a secret training session at an undisclosed location while practicing for the next record attempt.

What are your comments guys? Do you reckon we should try to get some? I will accept finantial contributions for revealing the identity of this brave scientist and the location of the testing facility.

Sir V

It specifically mentions kitesurfers over 100m from an accessible shore.

The 100m Jimmyz is referring to is the proposed new regulation -

www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/index.html

Proposal: When operating small recreational craft such as a sailboard, kayak, canoe, kite
surf or similar craft:
? In sheltered waters, when more than 100 metres from an accessible shore
? In ocean waters, at all times.

There doesn't seem to be any instance of a kitesurfer drowning in Australia, as NSWKBA has rightly pointed out.

Yep. And they're lumping us in with Kayaks and Canoes to justify it.

From the same "Lifejacket Discussion Paper"-
Why? Current rules require a lifejacket to be worn when more than 400 metres from shore.
There have been a small number of fatalities involving these kinds of craft and their use
is increasing dramatically. The risks associated with this type of boating are significantly
mitigated by wearing a lifejacket.
For the majority of people it would be an insurmountable challenge to swim 400 metres,
especially if the weather is rough, they are wearing clothes, and they are disorientated or
injured following a capsize.
If you were operating close to shore in sheltered waters, it would still be okay not to wear
a lifejacket. But if more than 100 metres from an accessible shore, or in ocean waters, a lifejacket would have to be worn.



If this law is successful we will have to wear a lifejacket any time we are kiting in the ocean!

Please respond to the online feedback page to have your say-
www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/index.html

Im so over council,government,maritime etc.

You think they would have better things to worry about than us kitesurfers.

They cant even build a fence properly.I bet the council member that approved this fence must feel like a fool when the sun shines at 2oclock ever arvo. What a c o c k up

I agree with Robbo and Kit33r - it is time to have our say...

SO...> go and do the survey NOW !!!

If we don't provide feedback by taking action there is no point complaining about it when the legislation is approved.

My 15c..

Sir V

just fill the form in b4 u go n buy a tiger vest

At least the NSW gov let you put a proposal in. Here in SA they just did it without any consultation, so if you have the opportunity to have a say, do it! Just remember that the "we don't like to wear one because it makes us look silly" excuse does not cut it. Ask everyone you know if they like speed cameras, we all know the answer but we still have them. If you have had any experiences where wearing a pfd has caused a safety issue, eg Got rolled in the surf and my lines got caught around the buckle and i couldn't get free until the buckle broke. Those are the stories which will help your cause.

Good luck NSWKBA and crew

Please don't forget -- you only have until 9 January to file your submission with NSW Maritime.

KEY POINT: IF THIS PROPOSAL IS NOT OPPOSED SUFFICIENTLY, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR AN APPROVED LIFE JACKET WHILE KITING AT ALL TIMES IN ALL OCEAN WATERS AND WHEN MORE THAN 100M FROM SHORE IN CLOSED WATERS.

www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/index.html

The NSWKBA position is here:

www.nswkba.com.au/Content/Documents/Document.ashx?DocId=93717

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