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).

What type is required? There are plenty of PFD type 3 on the market.

174 said...

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 thought it was very simple. Sail 400m from shore in navigable waters, which is just about everywhere except for small private dams, and you are required to wear one. Surf is another matter, if you are purely into surf with very short runs out the back you wouldn't have to wear one...as long as you stay inside 300m. Policing it would be very difficult though, how far is 400m when you have no markers. For the rest of the 90%+ of windsurfers sailing over 400m in a cross shore is easily done. However, if you sail in an onshore or offshore wind you can hug the coastline and that'll get the buggers scratchin' their heads.

Kiteboarders have an even more grey ruling, if they are accompanied by another kiteboarder they don't need to wear one. WTF? So how different are we? If anything most windsurfer boards will float the user, a kiters twin tip is more or less a bent piece of plywood (flak jacket on) with hardly any floatation, modified surfboard styles are a different thing though.

But rules are rules, I allowed my fishing licence to expire a few years ago and got nicked by the Fisheries, $300 poorer and I've learnt a lesson....rules are meant to be broken and the benefit (not) of being a rebel is they cancel your drivers licence and car rego if you don't pay up. Maritime are similar people, and around here they are regularly in the water more than Fisheries.

I would hate to wear a PFD but what can one do? Drive to the beach and wear one or catch the bus, no thanks I'm going to buy one. But which one? They are all cumbersome and I hate the idea of swimming with it on.

Another idea is to wear an impact jacket....it sorta looks the part and they might leave me alone when they see it.

BTW, did you notice many tow in big wave surfers are now wearing flotation devices? Even Laird Hamilton! I wonder if that was under the sponsor's arrangement.

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

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 ?

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.

choco said...

nosinkanow said...

choco said...

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.

I've been asking this all along. So which brand/model do you use?

binksmarine.com.au/?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_css.tpl&product_id=1089&category_id=251&manufacturer_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

choco said...

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.

I did a lot of research into this some years ago, and talked to many of the experts and pros. Their conclusion was that a PFD can definitely help in many situations, but that if you get knocked out, you're pretty much dead anyway. A PFD of this type won't float you head up, especially if there's chop around, because the natural tendency is for the legs to cause the face to turn into the wind and waves. You just end up breathing water in anyway.

As the former head of US Sailing's safety team (an ex US Navy safety expert) said, if you hit the water unconscious then all a PFD will do is help them find your body - which can be something, at least.

None of this is saying don't wear a PFD, but for our sport the advantages may not be as significant as in other areas.

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.

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.