Kids under 12 to Wear life Jackets all the time

[Spaniard_King]

For anyone who has kids you need to read this

http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/qt/msq.nsf...ry_lifejackets

Garry

[Poseidon]

Thanks for the information. By the interpretation 'underway' would include drifting along throwing lures etc, so my young bloke will need to wear the lifejacket at this time as well. Not too comfortable.

So, best I save up and buy one of those inflatable jackets,vest then.

More $$$$$. Boat = Bring On Another Thousand

[Poseidon]

PS. I wonder why this hasn't been advertised on the radio, TV etc, or have I missed it.

One thing for sure, unless it becomes more advertised there will be alot of $150 fines dished out.

[Derek_Bullock]

New child protection law

Rosemary Odgers

Courier Mail - March 13, 2006

IT will be compulsory for children under 12 to wear life jackets in dinghies and other small boats, in a bid to reduce drownings in Queensland.

From April 1, parents and operators face fines of at least $150 if they do not ensure children are properly protected.

Dinghies and small boats are defined as those under 4.8 metres – that means most of Queensland's approximately 200,000 registered recreational vessels.

It will also be compulsory for all people on board boats under 4.8 metres to wear a life jacket or flotation device when they are crossing a designated bar.

Transport Minister Paul Lucas said eight people drowned last year as a result of swamping, capsizing or after falling overboard.

"It's unfortunate that we need to regulate for something that should be common sense, but this is about protecting some people from their own actions," he said.

"This is even more important in the case of young children who are dependent on the good sense of their parents or the person operating the boat."

The State Government crackdown to be announced today follows a boating accident last year near Mackay when six-year-old Samantha Davison drowned after falling overboard from a small aluminium dinghy – and her father, Christian, drowned while attempting to rescue her.

At that time, the girl's grandfather pleaded with safety authorities to make it compulsory for all children to wear life jackets in Queensland.

Under existing laws, all boats have to carry life jackets – but it is not compulsory to wear them.

The new Queensland laws will apply to any commercial, fishing or recreational open boat under 4.8 metres because these are considered to be more likely to capsize in bad conditions.

Recreational fishing body Sunfish said plans to make it compulsory to wear life jackets while crossing bars was sensible, but questioned the changes involving children.

"We could be putting children more at risk from the heat by forcing them to wear life jackets in the middle of summer, particularly in the northern parts of the state," spokesman Vern Veitch said.

"It should be a commonsense thing that you put on a life jacket when it's rough – not something you have to legislate."

It will now be compulsory to wear life jackets at: Currumbin Bar, Tallebudgera Bar, Jumpinpin Bar, South Passage Bar, Caloundra Bar, Maroochy Bar, Noosa Bar and Wide Bay Bar.

[Derek_Bullock]

North Qld tragedy behind life jacket laws change

ABC Online - Monday, 13 March 2006. 14:08 (AEDT)

The Queensland Government says the drowning of two people near Mackay last year is the catalyst for new laws to make it compulsory for children to wear life jackets in dinghies.

Sarina man Christian Davison and his daughter Samantha, 6, died in a boating tragedy after she fell overboard.

Neither was wearing a life jacket.

From April, it will be compulsory for children under 12 to wear life jackets in small boats.

Emergency physician Dr Marianne Cannon says it is a step in the right direction.

"It can be inconvenient and what have you, but we believe it's a definite move in the right direction. You know, having to legislate does seem to be a bit silly, but if it saves one child's life then go ahead and legislate," she said.

[longtail]

lifejackets when crossing bars is a good idea ,

if i'm reading that right , the kids will have to wear it as long as their in the boat

does that also mean when fishing at anchor????


jason

[Swerve]

lifejackets when crossing bars is a good idea #, #

if i'm reading that right , the kids will have to wear it as long as their in the boat #

does that also mean when fishing at anchor????


jason

The kid will need a life jacket if

1- If the boat is drifting, moving (If at anchor or tied to a non movable object no jacket required)
2- If the boat is less then 4.8m in length.
3- If the boat is a open boat (Half cabins are excluded)

Steve

PS- Look at the FAQ

[finga64]

Sounds good in theory and shouldn't be any problems with people putting the jackets on going over bars
Wonder why the size limit is 4.8m?? Don't 4.9 or 5m boats sink too??
The definition of underway is a bit # as there's not much difference between anchored and drifting. I would be much happier if the "underway" was when the vessel was actually moving either by mechanical means or wind power.
What does everybody else think??

Wonder what difference a rigid deckhouse makes?? Sounds a little silly. Boats go over/under with/without a cabin.

Kids under 10 wear jackets in my boat now when we're under power and we always wear jackets going over bars as we mainly do that in NSW (laws already in down there) so not so bad for us to adjust.

It's a shame that laws are made by the sad misfourtunes of a very few.

I wonder if they're going to make parents responsible for their kids by law as well now, due to the sad loss of 3 little kids on railway lines in Brissy.

[Just_One_More_Cast]

Thanks for the information. By the #interpretation 'underway' would include drifting along throwing lures etc, so my young bloke will need to wear the lifejacket at this time as well. Not too comfortable.

So, best I save up and buy one of those inflatable jackets,vest then.

More $$$$$. Boat = Bring On Another Thousand

I have two kids 7 & 9. Both are excelent swimmers and have recentlty competed in zone swimming carnival finals for their school. They both still wear life jackets whenever they are in the boat. We are in New South, so the laws aren't here yet, but I personally don't think they are a bad idea.

The day I bought my boat, I bought two PFD2 jackets for the kids and the rule is, if they want to get in the boat, they put the jackets on. Never once had an arguement. Might be harder with kids who are used to going out without one and obviously they will be less inclined to co-operate as they get older.

Don't know what the law in Qld states, but if you can get away with PFD2 or PFD3's, they are very lightweight and comfortable. Many PFD3's are actually very sporty as they are designed for waterskiers. As far as I can ascertain the only difference between the 2 and 3's is the color. PFD2s are bright fluro colors, whereas 3's are often red, blue etc. I chose the flouro yellow #ones for my kids who were 4 and 6 at the time.

You would of course need PFD1's for bar crossings or outside work.

Can't deny the cost hurts though (mine were towrds the bottom of the price range and about $70 each), but at the risk of a serious cliche "what price do you put on your kids lives?" Here's another one "accidents happen"

[Poseidon]

My concern also is that of children overheating whilst wearing a PFD. I am not opposed to the wearing whilst under-power however for a child to wear a PFD when drifting throwing lures for instance is a bit much. We have all felt how hot it can be from radiating heat within a boat, to turn a child into a thermos is asking for trouble.

How can a child be more at risk within a vessel whilst drifting along than another child swimming upsupervised in the breakers at Main Beach?

Surely the risk of waves and rips should raise more concerns.

What ID will the child have to carry to prove his age ?

Regards Cameron.

[Derek_Bullock]

I can just see it happening .............. as soon as the first helicopter is called out to rescue a kid who is suffering from heat stroke they will start talking about kids being banned from open boats.

Hope I am not predicting a reality here.


Derek

[Spaniard_King]

Yes Cameron,

I too am worried about my kids overheating, I think common sense should prevail

Garry

[Spaniard_King]

There I go double posting again..ignore this one

[familyman]

This is law already in nsw (the bar bit) but really isnt this commonsense? If the water is glass calm then what issue is there?
I went on a trip on the James Craig(tall ship about 1500tons) out of sydney harbour with a howling sou east 30+knots and 20-25'swell.They made us wear jackets coming out of the harbour but once into the open sea we could take them off.Thats a bit illogical if you ask me .The other thing does Dr marianne cannon have to listen to whingy kids that are hot and uncomfortable in the boat becuse of the jacket.Personally I will make my kids wear a jacket if need be but if the weather is that bad then what are they doing out there in the first place?And whats with 12?dont kids over 12 drown ?How old was dad?
Then again I also have the view that people that have no idea of the lifestyle should not be making rules concerning it.By all means make everyone wear jackets all the time .No dont bother getting the incompitent people some skills so they know what they're doing >
To me while the government and various child protection agencies still flounder around trying to prevent child abuse and such then maybe they should concentrate on their own backyard and leave the parenting to the parents that actually give enough of a crap to enjoy having their kids on their boats.
cheers jon

[robersl]

can not see a problem with it but as mentioned a bit hot for kids to wear a jacket in our heat all day if you want to drift or troll all i can say is more kids will end up with heat stress. you try and keep fluids up to a kid while fishing not easy i have worked with harness horses most of my life and have to wear a protective vest while working the horses and you sweat like a pig

shane