HomeMarine Safety SA   Marine Safety SA October 2026 Newsletter

Marine Safety SA October 2026 Newsletter

You can subscribe to receive the Marine Safety SA quarterly eNewsletter here.

Don't wait till it's TOO LATE, MATE

From 1 October 2026, everyone on board a recreational vessel must wear a level 100 or higher lifejacket when: *handling Southern Rock Lobster (crayfish) traps or pots *lifting or hauling crayfish traps or pots *carrying crayfish traps or pots onboard a vessel. The requirement applies to all people on recreational vessels engaged in crayfishing, regardless of vessel length, age, experience or swimming ability. Recreational vessels include motorised vessels, canoes, kayaks, surf skis, rowboats or other human-powered vessels or aquatic toys. Crayfishing presents unique safety risks. Handling heavy pots, ropes and equipment, often in changing sea conditions and low-light periods, can increase the risk of a vessel capsizing. Wearing a level 100 or higher lifejacket is one of the most effective ways to improve your chances of survival if you enter the water unexpectedly. Domestic commercial vessels and inland waters are exempt from this requirement. It applies to recreational vessels in coastal waters only.

Once again, this year’s summer boating season will kick off with Safe Boating Week from Monday, 5 October to Sunday, 11 October. This year’s Week is all about the life-saving role of lifejackets and the equipment you need to raise the alarm when things don’t go as planned on the water.

We are joining in by urging all recreational boaters to think about safety before hitting the waterways – before it’s too late, mate.

Between July 2021 and June 2026, tragically, 21 people drowned while boating in powered and unpowered vessels on South Australian waters.

Properly worn lifejackets and working emergency marine communications equipment are almost always part of a survivor’s story, so do as they did and take these simple steps for a safer summer boating season:

1.     Learn which lifejacket you need with our online tool and wear it every trip.

2.     Make sure you have the right emergency marine communications onboard and everything is working.

3.    Keep essential boating information at your fingertips by downloading the DECKEE app.

Every safe trip starts before you leave the shoreline. By planning ahead, you're giving yourself the best chance of returning home safely.

Have a great summer on the water and remember: don't wait until it's TOO LATE, MATE.

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New lifejacket requirement for recreational crayfishing

Graphic promoting lifejacket safety for crayfishing. On the left, white and teal text on a dark blue background reads: “New level 100 or above lifejacket requirements when crayfishing,” alongside a lifejacket icon. On the right, a person wearing a red lifejacket and blue gloves stands on a boat handling a cray pot filled with crayfish. The scene is set on the water with a rocky shoreline visible in the background.

From 1 October 2026, everyone on board a recreational vessel must wear a level 100 or higher lifejacket when:

  • handling Southern Rock Lobster (crayfish) traps or pots
  • lifting or hauling crayfish traps or pots
  • carrying crayfish traps or pots onboard a vessel.

The requirement applies to all people on recreational vessels engaged in crayfishing, regardless of vessel length, age, experience or swimming ability.

Recreational vessels include motorised vessels, canoes, kayaks, surf skis, rowboats or other human-powered vessels or aquatic toys.

Crayfishing presents unique safety risks. Handling heavy pots, ropes and equipment, often in changing sea conditions and low-light periods, can increase the risk of a vessel capsizing.

Wearing a level 100 or higher lifejacket is one of the most effective ways to improve your chances of survival if you enter the water unexpectedly.

Domestic commercial vessels and inland waters are exempt from this requirement. It applies to recreational vessels in coastal waters only.

Check your lifejacket requirements

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Stay Afloat clinics: bring your lifejacket along and WIN

Getting your boat ready for the season? Think about your lifejacket too!

Bring your inflatable lifejacket to a Stay Afloat clinic to make sure it's ready AND go into the draw to win an automatic inflatable lifejacket valued at up to $250 RRP!

At these free clinics, our team will guide you through a simple lifejacket inspection checklist so you can learn how to:

·          check key components

·          identify signs of wear

·          ensure your lifejacket is in good working order.

If replacement items such as cylinders, clips or other basic parts are needed and available, we'll help get your lifejacket boating-ready.

The clinics are also a great opportunity to ask questions about lifejacket servicing, emergency communication equipment, our partnership with boating safety app DECKEE and other boating safety rules.

Find a Stay Afloat clinic near you and read competition terms and conditions at the link below.

Learn more

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Visit Marine Safety SA at the Club Marine SA Boat and Fishing Show

Marine Safety SA water safety advertisement showing an underwater view of a person in the water reaching towards the surface. A yellow and red lifejacket floats nearby beneath a boat, illuminated by sunlight streaming through the water. Large text reads: “TOO LATE, MATE”. Additional text states: “Wear it before you need it.” Marine Safety SA and South Australian Government logos are displayed, along with the website marinesafety.sa.gov.au.

We will be at the Club Marine SA Boat and Fishing Show (with freebies) from Friday, 23 to Sunday, 25 October 2026 - we'd love to see you in the Goyder Pavilion.

WIN A LIFEJACKET

Visit us to go into the draw to win a lifejacket by either:

·          subscribing to the Marine Safety SA newsletter

·          taking on our Lifejacket Challenge to see if you can correctly put on a lifejacket faster than everyone else.

FREE INFLATABLE LIFEJACKET ADVICE

Bring your inflatable lifejacket and we'll show you how to inspect it using our simple self-check checklist.

We'll help you identify any issues, explain servicing requirements and, where available, provide free replacement parts to help get your lifejacket boating-ready.

SEE US IN ACTION

We’ll also be on the main fishing stage at midday, every day, to show how to self-service an inflatable lifejacket.

Our team is looking forward to answering your questions, giving advice for those going for their boat licence – and handing out FREE Marine Safety SA drink bottles and boating safety stickers (while stocks last).

Learn more

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Get boating safety information from your local retailer

Two Marine Safety SA promotional posters are displayed against a light grey background. The posters feature a blue and white design with the heading “STAY SAFE on the water” and the South Australian Government and Marine Safety SA logos. Each poster contains three sections with QR codes linking to boating safety resources: “Which lifejacket?”, “What safety equipment?”, and “Free boating safety materials.” Brief text explains that lifejacket and safety equipment requirements depend on factors such as vessel type, age, operating area, and conditions. Along the bottom of the posters are photos showing lifejacket fitting, boating safety equipment, and educational materials. The image promotes access to boating safety information and free resources through QR codes.

Over the coming months, we will be distributing boating safety information packs to participating retailers, boating organisations and clubs across South Australia.

The packs will include posters and other resources featuring QR codes to help you:

·          find out which lifejacket you need for your boating activity

·          check what safety equipment you need to carry

·          access information on boating safety requirements

·          order Marine Safety SA boating safety stickers.

These resources are designed to help you make informed decisions when purchasing lifejackets and other safety equipment.

Want boating safety stickers and other resources for your own vessel? Visit our online store

Learn more

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Riverland Field Days a hit

Visitors gather at a Marine Safety SA display under a branded marquee at an outdoor community event. A Marine Safety SA staff member demonstrates the correct way to wear and adjust a lifejacket while speaking with a group of attendees. The display includes boating safety information, educational resources and marine safety equipment. A yellow navigation marker buoy is visible beside the marquee, and other event stalls can be seen in the background on a sunny day.

We loved talking all things boating safety with over 400 visitors at Riverland Field Days in September.

The team answered a wide range of questions about boating on the River Murray, with many visitors seeking advice on lifejacket requirements, safety equipment, boat licensing and safe boating practices.

Two visitors also won an inflatable lifejacket!

The event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with the Riverland boating community, share important safety information and help recreational boaters prepare for a safe season on South Australia's waterways.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped to chat with us. We look forward to seeing you at future events.

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