The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) welcomes new legislation requiring everyone on recreational craft six metres or less to wear a properly fitted lifejacket while underway.
The Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Bill last night passed its third reading in Parliament and will be in effect in time for the recreational boating season in Spring and Summer 2026/27.
TAIC Chief Investigator of Accidents Louise Cook says the change is an important step towards reducing preventable deaths on New Zealand waters.
“Wearing a lifejacket can make the difference between life and death when a boat capsizes suddenly.
“TAIC’s inquiries repeatedly show that wearing a lifejacket improves the chances of surviving a sudden capsize. They also show that lifejacket safety is about more than simply putting one on.
“In 2021, three people died when a 5.5-metre recreational boat capsized while crossing the Manukau Harbour bar. None of the four people aboard was wearing a lifejacket. TAIC highlighted how difficult it is to put on a lifejacket in choppy water. The key lesson was that lifejackets must be worn when crossing a bar.
“Wearing a lifejacket is an important part of staying safe on the water, but it’s not the whole story. People need a lifejacket that’s right for what they’re doing and suitable for the conditions, that fits properly and is maintained correctly.
“TAIC’s investigations show that we should keep working on these other aspects of lifejacket safety, so that when people put on a lifejacket, they can have confidence it will do what they expect it to do – so they need to understand how it works and, if they are using an inflatable lifejacket, how to safely deflate and remove it if necessary.
TAIC encourages everyone heading out on recreational boats to wear a properly fitted lifejacket, check that it is in good condition and suitable for the conditions, and understand how to use it before leaving shore.