Monday, 8 May 2017
Get discounts on the latest safety gear tomorrow
SOME may view wearing a lifejacket as an inconvenience – but if you fail to take precautions, you’re gambling with your life. A NSW Government initiative will make hitting the water cheaper, simpler and safer than ever, whether you’re white water rafting or casting a line.
The Old4New van will land in Armidale tomorrow to help boaters upgrade their safety equipment, and share advice with the public about lifejackets and drowning prevention. The initiative will assist in replacing old, bulky lifejackets with slimmer modern designs.
Tomorrow, Saturday, 6 May between 10am and 3pm, the van will visit the Armidale Mall off Dangar St. There, trained staff will help select the right lifejacket for height, weight, ability and use – providing advice on how to look after your lifesaving investment.
Member for Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall says it’s a must-do for any boater.
“For four years, Old4New has been helping to make waters safer – by spreading the message that a lifejacket shouldn’t be an inconvenience,” Mr Marshall said.
“In just moments, you could find yourself in trouble – and sadly, 8 out of 10 people who drown while boating aren’t wearing a lifejacket. Last year 11 lives were lost while out on the water, and many of those could have been prevented,”
“Through the Old4New initiative, you can have the latest safety gear, and save some money in the process. Wearing a lifejacket is not only the law, it’s common sense.”
The van is touring 160 locations in a roadshow across NSW, and is part of a Transport NSW program that has driven an increase in lifejacket usage and decreased boating deaths.
For more information on Old4New, and to find out when the van will be in other areas, visit: http://maritimemanagement.transport.nsw.gov.au/lifejackets/old4new/old4new-site-visit-map.html or the NSW Maritime Facebook page https://facebook.com/nswmaritime.