Starting December 1, 2024, new lifejacket regulations will take effect to increase maritime safety. You must understand and abide by these changes to stay safe and compliant on the water.
Maritime Safety Queensland will be focusing on education, with enforcement delayed until 1 July 2025, to ensure all users are aware of the change. Further communication and on-water education will be provided to support the roll out.
Key Changes that can impact paddlers:
To increase water safety, new regulations will make wearing a lifejacket mandatory when:
- boating alone or only with children under 12 years on an open boat less than 4.8m in length whilst underway
- crossing designated coastal bars on an open ship and on an open area of a boat of any length and on certain craft
- children one year or more and under 12 years are on an open boat or an open area of a boat of any length whilst underway
- night time boating, between sunset and sunrise on an open boat less than 4.8m in length whilst underway
These rules apply to a wide range of boats and crafts, including small sailboats, pedal boats, rafts (including inflatables), rowboats (except Club Surfboats by Surf Life Saving Australia), and sea/surf kayaks.
Note: crafts like body boards and stand-up paddle boards do not count as ‘craft’ under these regulations.
Paddle Queensland highly recommends all paddlers wear a Level 50 certified life jacket style PFD when you’re on the water especially on your own, paddling in the surf, crossing a bar or in open water.
For ocean ski paddlers, we also highly recommend wearing a leash, carrying a EPIRB or mobile phone, tracking your paddle via the Australian Coast Guard SafeTrx app and letting an emergency contact or your club know when on the water.
Clarification for ocean/surf skis has been requested and we will provide an update once received.
For more information click here.
To view the Media Release click here.