Life Jackets

[poonabayking]

Hey guys,

i was down the pine river last week chasing some prawns. anyways i was having a great day when all of a sudden the water police arrived and did a standard check up on life jackets.. i was very polite and was having a laugh with the fellas and showed them my life jackets. Thats when the mood changed they informed me my 2 lifejackets where out of date and they slapped me with a fine of $200.00

Is this a bit steep? I had 2 life jackets and my argument to the coppers was. " if i had fallen out i could pretty much walk to the shoreline"



Such a buzzkill for the day.

[Swanie1975]

hi, out of date -were they inflatables? how old were they? seems a bit harsh but i think the days of coppers giving out friendly warnings are long gone

cheers ryan

[split-shot]

This is an extract from Maritime Qld web site, I was not aware of the change. Pity they did not send out a notice with your boat rego renewal.

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Life jackets must comply with standards[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']For a life jacket or personal flotation device to comply with a particular standard, certain information required under that standard must be displayed.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']New personal flotation device standard[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Standards Australia has introduced a new standard, Australian Standard 4758, for personal flotation devices. From 1 February 2010 personal flotation devices made under this standard will be accepted for use in Queensland as part of your safety equipment requirement. You will start to see personal flotation devices made to the new standard appearing in retail outlets.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Personal flotation devices made to the standards Australian Standards 1512-1996, Australian Standard 1499-1996 and Australian Standard 2260-1996 are still acceptable for use as long as they are in good condition. You do not have to upgrade your current personal flotation device.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Australian Standard 4758 has a new rating system for personal flotation devices.[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Here is how they compare with current types:[/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Current standard[/FONT][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'][/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Under standard AS 4758[/FONT][FONT='Verdana','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Coastal life jacket [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Level 275
Level 150 [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']PFD type 1 [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Level 275
Level 150
Level 100 [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']PFD type 2 [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Level 50 [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']PFD type 3 [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Level 50 special purpose[/FONT]

[split-shot]

Sorry about the mess, try this link;

http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Safety/Lif....aspx#markings

[timddo]

I think he had the normal life jackets but had no reflective tape on it. Those block lifejackets are only $12 each anyway.

[cormorant]

I think he had the normal life jackets but had no reflective tape on it. Those block lifejackets are only $12 each anyway.

If so a warning and a return to ramp is a much better result.

Seriously if they were concerned about his safety they would have ordered him to port by putting them on their vessel and towing his???????

So his jacket was good enough to stay on fishing and return to the ramp but not good enough to not get a fine????? Same with a out of date inflatable???

Maybe the fine gets them more browny points A record of them doing their job against the nasty irresponsible and dangerous public.

[poonabayking]

so about the late reply guys.. yeh they where old lifejackets but i mean they still float perfectly with me in them.. i tested them in the pool when i returned home after fishing out the rest of the day.. and they are covered in reflective tape.

the example the copper used was if you where on the drink and fell out of the boat you would probably drown in those jackets..not like operating a vessel drunk is illegal also..

quite a joke if you ask me. but ahh well.. it is what it is

[cormorant]

Wasn't it late eightys or early 90"or something when the as1512 or whatever came in?

You must have had some very old jackets or was it just that the lables wern't clear? .

Wern't filled with Kapoc by any chance.

Old pvc taft ones?/ ( I still have a couple I use on the garage floor to stop scuffing a dinghy.

[Orange_hains]

what is the rule for life jackets in calm water ?
i didnt know that they were needed for rivers?

[mitchdemeanor]

possibly the old type that didnt have more positive floatation on the front? Basically if you fell out knocked unconscious you would float face up rather than just float?

Only thing I can think of

[Mossy247]

I was told my life jackets were not the correct shade of yellow as they had fadded a little. The police were nice enough and said grab a couple new ones next time your up the boat shop. I understand most are only doing there job bit harsh to cop the fine straight up but sometimes you just get the wrong guy in the wrong place.