New law effective Nov.1, 2010 in NSW, either stay within 400mtr from shore or wear one. Apparently they (Maritime) are giving a "honeymoon" period of 12 months, but repeat offenders will be fined.
Pity flotation/impact vests aren't rated, they are designed for our use (hook cutout) and look hell of a lot better than the rated boaty ones.
So what are you people using? I'm leaning towards the less bulky inflating ones (Type 1).
See www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Wave-sailing/New-lifejacket-reforms-in-NSW/
If you read closely I think the conclusion is "no change" for windsurfers. The information they have isn't very consistent...
I already wear one to help waterstarting now Im old & Unfit..
I got a skiing one and got some of the excess foam around the neck cut out to reduce it riding up + buckles to hold it down..It would have helped reduce the impact from my latest rib bruising crash except one of the buckles was inside () not done up) & I think thats what caused the problem.I went out & realised Id forgotten to do it up so stopped and put it on while I was out & didnt do it properly..[}:)]
The Neil Pryde ones they had at the demo day look like the way to go..very slimline & comfortable looking..I think they are about $120? Grr It will be too hot to wear one kayaking!
The current (and future) regulations are the same as the ones that have been in since about 1982. The proposed changes were defeated by Windsurfing NSW and the Windsurfer One Design Class of Australia (as Maritime notes on p3 of the "Summary of Consultation and Recommended Action paper).
The current and future rule is that if you go more than 400m from shore, you must wear a PFD. Maritime had proposed that everyone sailing in the ocean (i.e. all wavesailors) and everyone sailing more than 100m from shore should wear a PFD.
Windsurfing NSW and the Windsurfer One Design Class lobbed in an extensive submission, with information from Surf Life Saving NSW, info about overseas laws, opinions from Jess Crisp and other legends, and other information that showed that Maritime's proposed regs were not just useless, but positively dangerous in the case of wavesailers.
To their credit, Maritime NSW accepted the case and did NOT change the existing rules. The rules now are just the same as they have always been - no PFD required within 400m of shore. In the future, Windsurfing NSW may try to get laws relaxed further but this time the vital point was to get rid of the proposed regulation.
It was rather depressing that Yachting NSW lobbied FOR Maritime's proposal that wavesailers wear PFDs, which obviously would be extremely dangerous (as Surf Live Saving NSW agreed) without asking either Windsurfing NSW or the largest class (One Designs) what we thought.
So....
If you don't like the idea of wearing a PFD all the time, join a WNSW or Windsurfer One Design club and help support the voice of the sport! It'll cost you less than you would have had to pay to get a PFD, and you'll be able to dive under mast-high waves instead of being thrown around like a cork!
Someone explain please: don't all PFD types have an inflatable option, but one needs a sailor-activated one and not a submersion activation system. What type does that leave us with?
And:
Lifejackets that rely solely on oral inflation for buoyancy are not approved for use in NSW.
From: www.rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime/index.html
I always wear a PFD simply because i sail by myself most of the time, it's like wearing a seat belt, it has now become habit and i wouldn't sail without one.
Dont be selfish and think of your family, if you get knocked out or in any other trouble your chances will be better by wearing one.
Over regulation sucks. Does this mean that lifesavers will have to wear PFD1s when competing in the paddleboard, surfboat and surfski races ? (or training).They often go further than 400 metres off shore.
One would assume so...Now, if thats the law in NSW what of QLD.? I bet the NSW clubbies would be pissed off if they have to wear pfds when the QLDers dont ????
How do the laws relate to craft with positive buoyancy ?
So im heading over to WA at christmas and intend to go in the LOC.
I see that competitors have to wear boyancy vests:
Safety - During marathons all competitors must carry 2 flares and shall be required to wear an ASA 1499,2350 or ASA Type 1 or 2. Internationally stamped equivalents may be accepted at the discretion of the race director. If flares are out of date but are in very good condition they may be accepted at the discretion of the officer of the day. All competitors shall carry, securely attached to their buoyancy vests; two orange or red smoke flares. Competitors without proper safety equipment will not be allowed to compete
SO can any one recomend a good stream lined impact type vest that will meet these requirments? I notice most of the formulae guys here in sydney wear vests when racing now. also how do you attach the flares ?
Cheers.
Craig
Id rather drown than wear a PFD.. It probably makes sense to wear a motorcycle helmet while crossing the street or drinking at the pub, but wheres the dignity in that?.. You have to draw the line somewhere.. Natural Selection chose moderate risk takers not wimps..
Although McFly wears a 'life preserver' wherever he goes..
I wear mine always and for the LOC put the flares in the pocket. The numbers have worn off the inside so I carry a printout from the internet to prove that it complies.
On the beach at the LOC I am amazed by what people do to attach some flares.
I want the to have the option to wear a pfd- dont over regulate our nanny state any more (WA) but increase my taxes and give me "free" university education and health care.
take note thats a bouyancy vest, not a pfd.
if anyone gets picky, your not still wearing a pfd if you wear that.
The sailboarding Neil pryde ones would be Ok wouldnt they?
I went kayaking on the lake at the weekend..I never wear a vest although we carry them + skirts.The MSB was out checking out boats nearby so we decided we better put them on to get from Marks Pt to Coal Pt..I almost died of heatstroke..
Took the B thing off as soon as I got within what I estimated was 400m from Coal..[}:)]
It blows. The government is going around telling everyone what to do or else.
How many windsurfers drown? The most recent windsurfing drowning I recall was up in Queensland where the poor bloke was swept out of a river mouth and was pounded by the waves coming in while the current dragged him out.
Perhaps a life jacket would have helped but in such extreme and rough conditions you could drown with a jacket on.
Meanwhile on a lake or bay with no breaking waves or currents the risk of exhaustion and death from drowning is much lower. But the MSB will be there waiting.
Not sure if the NP vest would meet the rules. I use a NP impact chest harness and it provides good floatation. But its probably not rated as a PFD.
A lot of the boating regulations in QLD these days seem to be more about revenue raising than safety. The police arent out there saving people, They hang around the boat ramps nabbing people as they return.Usually for slightly out of date flares.
I've been boating for 20 years or so and I've never seen a flare let off ever, apart from demos and new years eve. The Water Police used to be known as good guys here. Now everybody hates them. They book people for new regulations nobody even knows about yet. No warnings, just $$$$.
There is still room for improvement beyond vests. Two way radio, flares, registration numbers on boards and sails, turns indicators, stop lights, compulsory knife to cut off nets and fishing lines and anti-shark device and obviously anti radar, on top of GPS tachometer. How ofter do you do speeding in restricted area to 5 knots? But if think compulsory life insurance is essential if you think about your family. Not sure about seat belts but that could save my sails in the severe catapult scenario.
Moby,
The NeilPryde "High Hook" harness is compliant with the EN393 standard which is acceptable to NSW Maritime. This is teh vest that most for the Formula racers have been using, and those used at the learn to windsurf series.http://www.neilpryde.com/vests/high-hook-ce.html
I too doubt any "impact vest" will be compliant.
JB
