This is sad to see and part of the pattern toward more unwanted regulations on the water. I do feel for the people and their families that have been involved, but there is a recurring theme of no life jackets here that has me scratching my head.
If you play in Moreton Bay, you know the shallow depth can create a short sharp sea state that can get uncomfortable. Not having life jackets on board is THE common denominator of the incidents with tragic outcomes over the last few months.

Redland Bay Water Police have warned locals to be more prepared when boating in dangerous Moreton Bay waters after multiple search and rescue missions
A spike in search and rescue missions has seen police resources stretched, prompting a warning for boaties to be extra cautious in Moreton Bay waters.
Three men have gone missing and a woman has died in the past three months, with a scaled back search and rescue operation still underway for a Norwegian diver who failed to resurface off North Stradbroke Island last week.
Officer in charge of Redland Bay water police Sergeant Paul Ryan said the increase in incidents had seen services stretched. "These situations are becoming far too familiar," Sergeant Ryan said."Boating for many is a great pastime, and a lot of people get complacent, the weather isn't always the same. "These incidents are very draining on our assets. Boats aren't cheap and for major searches we use two or three police boats with three or four officers on each, and other services to assist. "Sergeant Ryan said they also deployed rescue helicopters from across the state, police boats, coast guard and marine rescue boats, as well as volunteers. "With police covering fuel costs for all of these vessels, it is costly and risky for those involved," he said.
-- Earlier this month rescue crews found the body of a woman who drowned after the boat she and her husband were fishing on capsized near Mud Island in strong swells. The pair were not wearing life jackets.
-- In May a search was called for Jordan Kelly, 26, after he failed to return from a mid morning surf ski expedition from Dunwich to Cylinder Beach. Jack McDonald was with his friend when he went missing and said Mr Kelly came over to help him when his ski started taking water but slipped away when exhaustion set in. Mr McDonald paddled back to shore alone, the men were also not wearing life jackets.
At the same time, two jet ski riders became stranded, suffering hypothermia on mud flats on Russell Island after their ski broke down.In April, a major search operation was established for boatie Trent Riley, 26, but it was called off after two weeks. His boat was found driving uncontrolled off Mud Island near the Port of Brisbane.
Sergeant Ryan said having the right safety equipment was crucial to saving lives. "A suggestion is to put legislation in place to make life jackets and man overboard lanyards compulsory on all vessels," he said. "People going out need to make sure they have life jackets, flares, navigation lights on, make sure all the safety gear is current and that everyone on the vessel can access it. "And you cannot rely on your phone to communicate or as a torch, it drains the battery and we can't contact you if your phone is flat."Sergeant Ryan said locals needed to be more prepared for emergency situations before water expeditions."Underestimating the weather, it might be calm where they're coming from, but weather in the water can be very different."The tide might look calm but it can change very quickly with high winds, pressure waves and big swells."When you're in a small boat it doesn't take long for it to take water and you can get into trouble," he said.

There has been more two more rescues in the last 48 hours (no info on lifejackets) but these were successfully recovered suffering mild hypothermia. Its worth noting that with these and the incidents mentioned above, none of them were yachties. Maybe its a Covid thing, where less experienced people are playing on the water, but its a worrying trend.
This has all led me to wonder, does anyone here ever go sailing without lifejackets on board?
Do you wear them when in sub-optimal conditions (either from weather or lack of crew)?
Be safe out there all, I love mucking around on the water, but it's not worth dying for.

Compulsory to wear a PFD at all times in a boat under 6m in Tasmania.
Justification was mostly hypothermia deaths but given that someone is dying with sight of the Port of Brisbane lights every good westerly at present, coming to a state near you soon!

Yeah, it's really tragic Shaggy. As Lydia mentioned, compulsory for under 6m here in Tas, including tenders. Jet ski's are required to have a motorboat license + a specific PWC endorsement, and they have to wear PFD's at all times, I believe they also have to have the same minimum level of safety equipment on board as boats, for the waters they're operating in. While nothing is going to be perfect, because there's always the human factor, I think they've struck a pretty good balance here. Our licensing and registration system keeps all the monies within the authority (Marine and Safety Tasmania), instead of getting hoovered into general revenue. How does Queensland do this? That means they have ready funds to; heavily advertise and educate during the year, publish a regular newsletter that is posted to all licence holders (incidents are included in this to maintain awareness), and administer their annual funding grants scheme for boating infrastructure developments and improvements around the state.

Regarding PFD's, we always have them on board, under the law we have to use them for the tender trip to the boat anyway. I always wear one racing, but generally not when cruising until; conditions get rough or look like getting rough or solo sailing in anything other than relatively benign conditions. Always for children.

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2bish said..
Yeah, it's really tragic Shaggy. As Lydia mentioned, compulsory for under 6m here in Tas, including tenders. Jet ski's are required to have a motorboat license + a specific PWC endorsement, and they have to wear PFD's at all times, I believe they also have to have the same minimum level of safety equipment on board as boats, for the waters they're operating in. While nothing is going to be perfect, because there's always the human factor, I think they've struck a pretty good balance here. Our licensing and registration system keeps all the monies within the authority (Marine and Safety Tasmania), instead of getting hoovered into general revenue. How does Queensland do this? That means they have ready funds to; heavily advertise and educate during the year, publish a regular newsletter that is posted to all licence holders (incidents are included in this to maintain awareness), and administer their annual funding grants scheme for boating infrastructure developments and improvements around the state.

Regarding PFD's, we always have them on board, under the law we have to use them for the tender trip to the boat anyway. I always wear one racing, but generally not when cruising until; conditions get rough or look like getting rough or solo sailing in anything other than relatively benign conditions. Always for children.

Qld Boat rego money is not dedicated to MSQ, if it was there would gold taps at the top of the ramps for wash down.
So @bish, you would paying $531.00 pa as opposed to the $73.50 you pay in Tasmania for boat rego.
MAST is a different world compared to MSQ.
But then again look at the senior staff at MAST.
We are all ****ed when they retire.

Whats the rule in Tas. regarding wearing a pfd where there is only 1pob.
For Vic,SA,and NSW mandatory. For Qld. don't fall over which crazy.

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Bananabender said..
Whats the rule in Tas. regarding wearing a pfd where there is only 1pob.
For Vic,SA,and NSW mandatory. For Qld. don't fall over which crazy.

Same rule applies for one POB

Also the set up in Tasmania is quite different.

Surf Lifesaving has the responsibility for what os called "littoral rescues" that is within 1 nautical mile of the shore.

After that it is Water Police as there is no coast guard or volunteer marine rescue in Tasmania save for 2 places.

Historically most boating recreational fatalities occurred on the inland lakes not the sea.

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shaggybaxter said..
This has all led me to wonder, does anyone here ever go sailing without lifejackets on board?

Never, from a Moreton Bay regular

Do you wear them when in sub-optimal conditions (either from weather or lack of crew)?

Yes.
I wear a life-jacket when sailing alone.
I insist that anyone under 16 wears one on my boat.
I'd wear it when crossing a bar (I don't normally cross bars, but I would if I did)
I'd wear it in bad weather (but I'm a fair-weather sailer)

I recently got a top-notch Spinlock inflatable life jacket. I hope to never use it, but the fact that I have it lets me relax and enjoy the sailing more.

Good discussion. Just to widen the topic a bit more, how many of you solo's wear a PLB with your PFD, so that you hopefully get plucked out before the hypothermia gets you? I do in any sort of dodgy weather, and yes you're right I should do 100% of the time when solo.

Cheers, Graeme

I wear PFD with PLB always when solo which is 90% of time unless I forget which is rare.

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wongaga said..
Good discussion. Just to widen the topic a bit more, how many of you solo's wear a PLB with your PFD, so that you hopefully get plucked out before the hypothermia gets you? I do in any sort of dodgy weather, and yes you're right I should do 100% of the time when solo.

Cheers, Graeme

It's best to have a harness connected to your PFD short enough so you don't get wet.

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lydia said..

2bish said..
Yeah, it's really tragic Shaggy. As Lydia mentioned, compulsory for under 6m here in Tas, including tenders. Jet ski's are required to have a motorboat license + a specific PWC endorsement, and they have to wear PFD's at all times, I believe they also have to have the same minimum level of safety equipment on board as boats, for the waters they're operating in. While nothing is going to be perfect, because there's always the human factor, I think they've struck a pretty good balance here. Our licensing and registration system keeps all the monies within the authority (Marine and Safety Tasmania), instead of getting hoovered into general revenue. How does Queensland do this? That means they have ready funds to; heavily advertise and educate during the year, publish a regular newsletter that is posted to all licence holders (incidents are included in this to maintain awareness), and administer their annual funding grants scheme for boating infrastructure developments and improvements around the state.

Regarding PFD's, we always have them on board, under the law we have to use them for the tender trip to the boat anyway. I always wear one racing, but generally not when cruising until; conditions get rough or look like getting rough or solo sailing in anything other than relatively benign conditions. Always for children.

Qld Boat rego money is not dedicated to MSQ, if it was there would gold taps at the top of the ramps for wash down.
So @bish, you would paying $531.00 pa as opposed to the $73.50 you pay in Tasmania for boat rego.
MAST is a different world compared to MSQ.
But then again look at the senior staff at MAST.
We are all ****ed when they retire.

Don't think PH will be be retiring anytime soon...
But his young offsider knows his stuff too.

Select to expand quote

lydia said..

Bananabender said..

Also the set up in Tasmania is quite different.

Surf Lifesaving has the responsibility for what os called "littoral rescues" that is within 1 nautical mile of the shore.

After that it is Water Police as there is no coast guard or volunteer marine rescue in Tasmania save for 2 places.

Historically most boating recreational fatalities occurred on the inland lakes not the sea.

A third VMR unit is in the very early stages of being set up, on the east coast,

Basically as a result of a commercial fisherman drowning in the area last year.

There was a good article i read a while ago. I will try and find it.
Its not just wearing it, its wearing it properly and making sure its in good condition.
The RNLI did a weekend and people could bring their lifejackets in for inspection. I think nearly half failed and most people didn't know how to wear it properly.
This is in a country where everyone wears a lifejacket.

Yes the issue with inflatables is the maintenance mine are as old as the flares that have expired, and look much more worn, so I should ditch em and start again, ( maybe regas an old couple for tendering ashore, doubt the pinch ability of them) the upside of NSW compulsory PFD when crossing a bar is that once on they stay on (inflatables that is )
good thread shaggy, I'm sure all our flares & extinguishers are in date ?

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Ramona said..

wongaga said..
Good discussion. Just to widen the topic a bit more, how many of you solo's wear a PLB with your PFD, so that you hopefully get plucked out before the hypothermia gets you? I do in any sort of dodgy weather, and yes you're right I should do 100% of the time when solo.

Cheers, Graeme

It's best to have a harness connected to your PFD short enough so you don't get wet.

No need for the PFD in that case, just a harness

The act if wearing a harness or a pfd or both when solo depends entirely on a number if factors . Eg. Type of boat , size, waters sailing in ,age, etc.etc.
I have auto inflatables which are great and also a pita in wet season on a small boat. Why a pita ? If I leave them on the boat the odds are the humidity may cause them to go off when not being worn ,like last year , hence I have a couple just for me. Because it get so hot and humid up here the smaller the profile of the pfd the better.

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tired said..

lydia said..

2bish said..
Yeah, it's really tragic Shaggy. As Lydia mentioned, compulsory for under 6m here in Tas, including tenders. Jet ski's are required to have a motorboat license + a specific PWC endorsement, and they have to wear PFD's at all times, I believe they also have to have the same minimum level of safety equipment on board as boats, for the waters they're operating in. While nothing is going to be perfect, because there's always the human factor, I think they've struck a pretty good balance here. Our licensing and registration system keeps all the monies within the authority (Marine and Safety Tasmania), instead of getting hoovered into general revenue. How does Queensland do this? That means they have ready funds to; heavily advertise and educate during the year, publish a regular newsletter that is posted to all licence holders (incidents are included in this to maintain awareness), and administer their annual funding grants scheme for boating infrastructure developments and improvements around the state.

Regarding PFD's, we always have them on board, under the law we have to use them for the tender trip to the boat anyway. I always wear one racing, but generally not when cruising until; conditions get rough or look like getting rough or solo sailing in anything other than relatively benign conditions. Always for children.

Qld Boat rego money is not dedicated to MSQ, if it was there would gold taps at the top of the ramps for wash down.
So @bish, you would paying $531.00 pa as opposed to the $73.50 you pay in Tasmania for boat rego.
MAST is a different world compared to MSQ.
But then again look at the senior staff at MAST.
We are all ****ed when they retire.

Don't think PH will be be retiring anytime soon...
But his young offsider knows his stuff too.

Enough of us would pay PHs wages to keep there.

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wongaga said..

Ramona said..

No need for the PFD in that case, just a harness

If your in NSW and have to cross a bar legally you have to wear a PFD. I find once I have it on I just keep it on. Then it's common sense if you want to be tethered that the strop needs to be connected directly to the PDF. I only sail solo and don't leave the cockpit at sea unless I'm setting up the cruising shute and that is only in mild conditions. For serious offshore stuff in the dark etc I wear an old buoyancy vest that I have modified with a lifting strop similar to what we used to use in navy helicoptors. There is also a loop for a handheld radio. The strop connects high up on the chest so if you somehow managed to get dragged alongside in the water you have a better chance of not drowning. It's best not to have a strop that long though and stay onboard.
I notice that the new inflatables do not need the leg strops and now incorporate a lifting ring high up on the chest.

This was my tethers I first had for the boat, mostly 2 point with a couple of 3 points. I didn't like them at all. I managed to bend two enough so they wouldn't close properly and on a couple of others the plastic trigger deformed enough to make it difficult to release. Did ave a short and long strop but that's about all I did like.
Really not good for a life saving device.








This was my go to 3 point tether which I really liked because of the quick release on the harness end and the short/long strop. If I was going to get skull dragged, trying to naff around with a double action hook on your harness seemed like a very bad idea.
Sadly, they were illegal when racing....because they have a quick release . Go figure.

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wongaga said..
Good discussion. Just to widen the topic a bit more, how many of you solo's wear a PLB with your PFD, so that you hopefully get plucked out before the hypothermia gets you? I do in any sort of dodgy weather, and yes you're right I should do 100% of the time when solo.

Cheers, Graeme

Hi Graeme,
I stick my hand up and say I sort of did but I went through a phase of it never really having a proper 'home' so I would forget it some times. One day I fell on it (jacket pocket) and it hit me in the sternum. Aside from knocking the wind out of me and making me lose function for a bit, it hurt like a b(*&^h for the next couple of days. That motivated me enough to find a proper home for it, which ended up being on the mouthpiece of the pfd. That was the key, it sat neatly under the velcro cover so it didn't catch on anything and it was extra hard to fall on .
After that it stayed on the pfd, so much easier as you could sling on your pfd and you're right to go.
I had an AIS beacon as well that was a lot slimmer, so that stayed in the scalopettes. I wouldn't wear that except for racing when you are hopefully surrounded by boats that can hear it.
One good lesson that stemmed from that, be leery of putting bulky hard things in jacket pockets!

I've been reading about VHF radios with GPS/DSC/flashing strobe/floating. Would one of those be a safe alternative to a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) when solo? I stick to enclosed waters.

Hi snapper;

I reckon a hand-held VHF would be nice to have, but it doesn't really replace a PLB. The radio and DSC signal propagation would be compromised by the low elevation (short line-of-sight range) and the effect of water on the antenna. And of course to keep calling on the radio you have to be conscious with fingers that still work, and not getting a gob-full of water every time you try to speak.

By contrast, your PLB, if attached to the PFD, and with antenna clear, once activated will continue sending its signals up to the satellites for over 24 hours, plenty of time for them to find your expired remains. But of course you have to have it attached correctly to your PFD, and be able to activate it.

An AIS MOB device would be nice too if there were other craft nearby (including your own if you weren't solo), and they respond to the alarm. But once again, it's relying on VHF propagation at sea-level.

Almost need to wear a second PFD to keep all this stuff afloat.

Cheers, Graeme

Thanks, Graeme :) I think I'll get a PLB first and maybe a radio later. I have a gift voucher on a marine store to put to good use!
cheers,
sf