New research into recreational boating behaviour has found more boaties are wearing their lifejackets the entire time they're on the water.

Maritime New Zealand says 78 per cent of boaties reported wearing a lifejacket the whole time they were on the water in 2015, which is up from 67 per cent in 2014, and 62 per cent in 2013.

Maritime NZ says the increase of recreational boaties wearing their lifejackets while on the water is due in part to its ‘Get it on: Lifejackets for Life' TV campaign. Photo: Maritime NZ/YouTube

Anecdotal evidence from Harbour Masters' patrols over the holidays is also supporting the research's findings.

Maritime NZ deputy director and Safer Boating Forum chair Lindsay Sturt says this change is hugely important.

'Because of the tragic statistic that two-thirds of recreational boating fatalities would likely have been prevented by wearing a lifejacket,” he explains.

Last year 24 people died in recreational boating accidents, compared to 27 in 2014.

Lindsay says the focus of Maritime NZ's summer safer boating campaign has been to encourage boaties to wear lifejackets all of the time.

'It is encouraging that 66 per cent of boaties who recalled the ‘Get it on: Lifejackets for Life' TV campaign actually took action as a result of seeing the advertising.

'We know about 94 per cent of boaties carry enough lifejackets for everyone on board but it is wearing them that counts. A lifejacket is no good unless it's being worn.”

Along with it's advertising campaign, Maritime NZ also publicises boating incidents to give real life examples of consequences of not taking sensible precautions and also of good boating behaviour.

'The media have a big part to play in spreading safer boating messages and we are grateful for their support,” adds Lindsay.

BOATIES' COMMENTS REPORTED IN THE SURVEY:

'Never took it seriously until I heard about the accidents of my peers.”

'I've always been safety conscious when out on the water; a bit like always wearing your seatbelt in a vehicle. But it's nice to see that others are taking it a bit more seriously now.”

'Drownings have increased... wearing a lifejacket is an important action that could help reduce drownings.”

'I used to take wearing a lifejacket more casually when I was out with other adults; whereas now I wear one as regularly as I do when I'm with my kids.”

Click here to read the report on Maritime New Zealand's Behaviour & Campaign Measures 2015.

Along with wearing lifejackets, boaties also should make sure they fit properly. Photo: File