Wear a lifejacket that fits
Most drownings in boating accidents involve craft under 6 metres. Everyone on board boats under 6 metres should wear a lifejacket.
Check the marine forecast
Before you go out, always check the marine weather forecast. Marine weather forecasts state what the weather is expected to do.
Stay in contact
Different types of communications equipment work in different areas, so make sure the equipment you have will work where you are boating. You should carry at least two types that will work when wet.
Avoid alcohol
Alcohol, even in small quantities, affects coordination and judgement. It can also exaggerate confidence.
Basic Safety Code
Skipper Responsibility
Safer Boating Guide
Lifejackets
Always Wear Your Lifejacket
Most accidents occur suddenly with no warning. There may be no time to grab a lifejacket unless it is close at hand, and it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to put on a lifejacket once you are in the water.
As a skipper, you must carry a correctly sized lifejacket for each person on board. This is a legal requirement that applies to all boats, including tenders and larger craft.
Before you go
Check the Marine Forecast
Before you go out, always check the marine weather forecast. Marine weather forecasts state what the weather is expected to do. Land and general forecasts do not take into account wind speed over water (which is double that over land) or the waves or swell.
If a land forecast does give wind speed, it is in km/hr and that is an indicator that you are listening to the wrong forecast.
Communications
Stay In Contact
Different types of communications equipment work in different areas, so make sure the equipment you have will work where you are boating. You should carry at least two types that will work when wet.
Safer boating
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol, even in small quantities, affects coordination and judgement. It can also exaggerate confidence.
Alcohol can impair your:
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ability to react
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ability to perform simple tasks
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judgement
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sense of direction.
These factors put yourself and others at risk. They also increase the likelihood of you ending up in the water by accident.
Boating Safety
Make sure you cover the basics of safety before you head out
An accident can happen to anyone and at any time - no matter how experienced you are or how safe your boat is.
Current Numbers
2023 DROWNING FATAILITIES TO DATE
14
There have been 14 official drownings to date in 2023. This number is updated weekly.
2022 DROWNING FATALITIES
93
There were 93 official preventable drowning fatalities in the 2022 calendar year.
2023 SUMMER DROWNINGS
14
There have been 14 official drownings to date in the 2023 summer period.
2021 DROWNING FATALITIES
90
There were 90 official preventable drowning fatalities in the 2021 calendar year.
MALE DROWNINGS
85%
As a gender split, 84.95% of 2022 drowning fatalities were male. 15.05% were female.
2020 DROWNING FATALITIES
84
There were 84 official preventable drowning fatalities in the 2021 calendar year.
Video
Surviving the Unthinkable
Learn techniques to improve your chances of survival in cold water.