Buckle up and throttle back this Easter

Maritime Safety Queensland is conducting an intensive compliance campaign on Queensland waterways from April 5-21.

Boaties must also ensure their lifejackets meet the latest Australian Standard by September 1, 2025.

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is urging boaties to prioritise safety this Easter school holidays by complying with new lifejacket rules and adhering to speed limits on the water.

MSQ officers will be focusing on the two leading causes of boating fatalities — failure to wear a lifejacket and excessive speed.

While MSQ has been taking an educative approach — speaking to boaties about the new laws and how to comply with them — compliance will be enforced from July 1, 2025.

Boaties must also ensure their lifejackets meet the latest Australian Standard (AS 4758) by September 1, 2025.

New lifejacket rules:

Since 1 December 2024, all skippers and passengers must wear lifejackets in high-risk situations when underway, including:

• When crossing coastal bars on specific vessels

• When boating alone or at night

• All children under 12 years of age on open boats under 4.8 metres.

Between 2019/20 and 2023/24, 64 people drowned in boating accidents in Queensland — only five were confirmed to be wearing a lifejacket.

In 2024 alone, seven of eight fatalities involved drowning, with just one person known to have been wearing a lifejacket.

MSQ General Manager, Kell Dillon says: “Your lifejacket can only save your life if you’re wearing it. Too often, we see tragedies that could have been prevented.

“The new lifejacket laws are designed to ensure boaties wear lifejackets in high-risk situations, such as boating alone, at night, crossing coastal bars and when boating with children.

“We urge all boaties to embrace these rules and make lifejackets a routine part of their safety measures — not just a requirement.

“While MSQ will take an educative approach to the new lifejacket laws, those caught speeding can expect to be fined. Speeding reduces reaction time and increases the risk of serious incidents.”

With Queensland’s waterways expected to be busy this Easter, Maritime Safety Queensland’s message to boaties is simple: ‘Buckle up your lifejacket. Throttle back your speed. Get home safely’.

For more information on the new lifejacket rules, visit msq.qld.gov.au/safety/life-jackets