Gold Coast tourism operators hit out at mandatory lifejacket proposal for small businesses

Mandatory life jackets aboard Gold Coast ferries, whale watching boats and fishing charters could be the death knell for an already struggling industry, operators warn. Have your say.

A PROPOSAL for mandatory life jackets aboard Gold Coast ferries, whale watching boats and fishing charters is being met with criticism from local tourism operators.

In a bid to stop potential overboard deaths, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is exploring options to increase life jacket wear for the domestic commercial vessel sector (DCV).

Informed by safety data, the authority is focusing on sectors of the fleet with the greatest risk of a fatality after a person overboard incident.

Queensland’s DCV sector accounts for 35.3 per cent of the Australian industry, with the Gold Coast’s tourism operators owning a large chunk.

This includes sightseeing vessels, thrill ride adventures, hire-and-drive vessels, a fishing fleet and working boats.

AMSA CEO Mick Kinley said advancements in life jacket design had made them more wearable and they’d been proven to save lives.

“Old excuses that life jackets are too bulky or awkward and people can’t work in them, no longer cut it with modern designs,” he said.

“Old excuses that life jackets are too bulky or awkward and people can’t work in them, no longer cut it with modern designs,” he said.

Mick Kinley, chief executive of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Supplied

From July 2018 to June 2021, 90 people fell overboard across the country. Of these incidents, 10 were fatal and 48 were categorised as very serious or serious.

“In 2020 alone, there were four fatalities all involving a crew member drowning after falling overboard,” Mr Kinley said.

National law only mandates when a life jacket must be worn for a very small number of circumstances; these relate to the construction of the vessel.

Aquaduck general manager Sarah Colgate said the authority had valid points in regards to how life jackets could save lives.

“The key point to note is a blanket approach will negatively impact the commercial vessel industry, marine tourism and ferry services,” she said.

“A well-defined and targeted approach to life jacket wearing on high-risk vessels will save lives and make a positive impact.

“Therefore the industry needs to provide feedback while AMSA are offering consultation so we can be sure to get it right.”

Sarah Colgate, General Manager of Aquaduck Tours on the Gold Coast.

An AMSA spokesman said the DCV industry was grouped into passenger vessels with 13 or more passengers, non-passenger vessels with up to 12 passengers, fishing vessels and hire and drive vessels used for recreational purposes only.

Consultation is open until December 17, at amsa.gov.au/lifejackets.

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Originally published as Gold Coast tourism operators hit out at mandatory lifejacket proposal for small businesses