Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is urging boaties to prioritise safety this Easter school holidays by complying with new lifejacket rules and adhering to speed limits on the water.
From 5 April to 21 April, MSQ officers will conduct an intensive compliance campaign across Queensland’s waterways, focusing on the two leading causes of boating fatalities — failure to wear a lifejacket and excessive speed.
While MSQ has been taking an educative approach — speaking to boaties about the new laws and how to comply with them — compliance will be enforced from 1 July 2025. Boaties must also ensure their lifejackets meet the latest Australian Standard (AS 4758) by 1 September 2025.
New lifejacket rules in effect:
Since 1 December 2024, all skippers and passengers must wear lifejackets in high-risk situations when underway, including: when crossing coastal bars on specific vessels and when boating alone or at night and all children under 12 years of age must wear lifejackets on open boats under 4.8 metres.
Between 2019/20 and 2023/24, 64 people drowned in boating accidents in Queensland — only five were confirmed to be wearing a lifejacket. In 2024 alone, seven of eight fatalities involved drowning, with just one person known to have been wearing a lifejacket.
MSQ general manager Kell Dillon said too often they saw tragedies that could have been prevented.
“Your lifejacket can only save your life if you’re wearing it,” he said.
“The new lifejacket laws are designed to ensure boaties wear lifejackets in high-risk situations, such as boating alone, at night, crossing coastal bars and when boating with children.
“While MSQ will take an educative approach to the new lifejacket laws, those caught speeding can expect to be fined. Speeding reduces reaction time and increases the risk of serious incidents.”
For more information visit msq.qld.gov.au/safety/life-jackets
