A program aimed at upgrading old and damaged lifejackets will arrive in Augusta during the town’s annual River Festival in March.
Administered by the Department of Transport (DoT), the Old4New upgrade program first began in metropolitan centres and is expected to be rolled out into regional locations, starting in the South West.
DoT Safety Education Manager Laurie Adams said the Augusta River Festival would be the first venue for regional skippers to benefit from the program, which to date has seen more than 650 old or damaged lifejackets upgraded.
Delivered in conjunction with the Royal Life Saving Society of Western Australia, the initiative is part of a State-wide campaign to encourage boat users to wear lifejackets at all times.
“The aim is to change people’s behaviour and improve the safety of people who enjoy boating in WA,” Mr Adams said.
The DoT hopes the scheme will have similar success to the program implemented in New South Wales, where the number of boaters wearing a lifejacket has quadrupled since 2007.
Mr Adams said skippers visiting the DoT stand at the Augusta River Festival on March 5, 2017 would be provided with discount vouchers to purchase lifejackets from participating retailers.
Old, damaged, obsolete or foam filled lifejackets can be exchanged for a voucher with a maximum of three vouchers per vessel.
“Voucher limits and restrictions are in place to ensure the benefits of the program apply to as many vessels as possible, Mr Adams said.
“To avoid disappointment it’s important that people wanting to participate in the program read the Old4New guidelines at www.transport.wa.gov.au/lifejackets to check if their jackets qualify for an upgrade and to find out more information.”