The Coastguards Old4New lifejacket swap is going to be at Sulphur Point from 8am till 11am.

Regional Council staff will demonstrate how to service lifejackets and Coastguard will be encouraging boaties and members of the public to trade in their old lifejackets for discounts on new ones.

'Skippers must carry a correctly sized and fit for purpose lifejacket for each person on board. With sheds across the country littered with old lifejackets that no longer work, and inflatables people have no idea how to operate, this is a great opportunity to upgrade your safety kit at a reasonable price and learn some tips at the same time,” says Safer Boating Officer Tony Pearce.

'We will also have free safer boating resources and waterproof cell phone bags to give away too.”

'It's great to see Coastguard taking practical steps to address issues around lifejackets no longer being fit for purpose and hats off to Maritime New Zealand for funding this great initiative,” says Tony.

• Safer Boating staff and Coastguard will be at Sulphur Point Boat Ramp this Sunday 11 December between 8am - 11am. Coastguard will also be at Whakatane Boat Ramp between 1pm – 4pm.
• People can visit the Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade van and trade in their old, damaged or worn lifejacket for a significant discount on a brand new, modern Hutchwilco lifejacket. There are five lifejacket styles to choose from including one for kids.

Two lifejacket campaigns are resulting in a big pre-Christmas uptake on lifejacket sales says Marine New Zealand.

A 20 per cent price reduction has seen nation-wide retailer, Rebel Sport double its sales of lifejackets in the first week of the month, and the Coastguard sold 300 lifejackets in the first weekend of its Old4New promotion.

About half the lifejackets used by recreational boaties are sold in the few weeks before Christmas and it is great news to see even more sales this year, says Maritime NZ Education and Communications Manager, Pania Shingleton.

'Wearing your lifejacket is the most important thing boaties can do to keep themselves safer on the water,” says Pania.

'Our tragic statistic is that about two-thirds of recreational boating deaths could be prevented by taking the simple step of wearing a lifejacket.

'If you plan to go boating, then buying the right-sized lifejackets can be a practical family Christmas present.”

Maritime NZ is making buying lifejackets easier this year by providing $75,000 for Coastguard to run the 'Old4New” lifejacket upgrade programme sponsored by Hutchwilco, and has joined up with Rebel Sport to offer 20 per cent off lifejackets in a promotion sponsored by media publisher News Works.

'New Zealand is a nation of boaties. It seems about one-third to half of our population takes to the water in one million recreational craft,” says Pania.

'Those big numbers – and we know they are increasing – mean boat safety is really important.

'By law every boat has a ‘skipper' and the skipper is in charge.

'If you're the ‘skipper' taking friends or family out on the water, take two waterproof ways to call for help, check the marine weather forecast, avoid alcohol and, above all, make sure everyone wears a lifejacket.”

The Old4New Lifejacket campaign is based on a concept run in Australia by Transport New South Wales and has been adapted for New Zealand. More information at https://www.coastguard.nz/boating-safely/life-jackets/old4new/