Hi

I was lucky enough to be fined today at Victor Harbor for not wearing a Life Jacket while Kiting there. Lucky me.

I was at Kent Reserve, and came in to change my kite, when out behind a tree came the Marine Officer, who proceeded to have a friendly chat, then eventually got my details, and once he had these, his mood changed.
He basically said I needed a good excuse to avoid a fine, so I said that hardly anyone wears them (I've seen about 10 people wearing them in 4 years of kiting), and I'm a nice guy, and been pleasant enough with you, and his reply to that was that the kiting community is very small so there aren't many kiters out there, that's why not many people wear them????

He claims to have been on seabreeze educating the kiters about wearing life jackets. I did a quick search and couldn't find anything, is there posts on this????

How much is the fine, does anyone know??????, as he didn't know, but said it's around $200. God knows why he wouldn't know, its his job, he should know.

Anyone else been fined too, or am I just the lucky one?????

Lastly, that's the first time in 23 years of windsurfing, and kiting that I have ever seen a marine and harbors officer at the beach. One would think I could have gotten off with a warning, considering it really isn't policed that regularly, I was polite and friendly to him, and said I would go and buy one.

I think the guy was on a power trip, trying to make himself feel important. When I was at the local store buying a life jacket, not too many people had anything positive to say about him.

I recon ive come across the same fun police & yep he was a full on power tripper!!!
To me as a kitesurfer a PFD is more dangerous to wear than not!!
As adults you would think we are capable of making our own decisions weither to wear one or not
Sorry to hear you got stung by the FUN POLICE, Bummer dude...
Maybe he was just spewing because he had to work the Australia day shift & by ruining your day he feels AWESOME now!!

Bad luck mate that was an expensive session.
Only problem in making up a name is what happens when you need to pack up and get in your car. He's going to see your number plate.

My question is about the PFD (personnel Flotation Device) these are designed to keep you afloat, but you need to be a pretty good swimmer to kiteboard/windsurf anyway. They wont help you if you are knocked unconscious. A life jacket has the buoyancy around your front and neck but would be completely impractical to ware. So whats the point.

I could be wrong. Any comments?

Still if it started to be policed I would reluctantly buy one

According to the document below the expiation fee is $160 not $220:

(see 169-Personal flotation devices to be worn on certain recreational vessels)

http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/LZ/C/R/HARBORS%20AND%20NAVIGATION%20REGULATIONS%202009/CURRENT/2009.226.UN.PDF

Reading that one needs to wear a PFD even when just surfing... honestly!

Where are we at with this SAKSA?

Surely a buckle type wake vest adds more danger? Is there a non buckle type that would satisfy this inspector..Guessing it would need Type 2 / Type 1 Australian standard etc safety logo?

Guess from now on we will all have to be John Smith to anyone from the public that has a chat (sorry if there is a real John out there...you may get some fines!). What was his name / what did he look like? So we all can promptly walk away (no obligation to speak).

Being attached to an inflated PFD in the air doesn't count?

pintofpale said...

Does anyone know if these marine inspectors have the power to detain you if you refuse to give your details? I see it as a form of harassment. They should use their resources more effectively.

Detaining someone is a serious offence in itself. Is the offending person a danger to themselves ? Or others in the community if their action continues ?

Police & Federales i believe can detain.
Not for a expiation notice.

SAKSA said...


This is not the first time this topic has arisen, this law has been in place for a while now. It has been enforced on the Yorke Peninsula and North Haven that we know of.

The department have been policing the murray river since I started sailing\windsurfing in the early 80s.When on the river which I am on a regular basis these days I put on a Life jacket.Look and feel like a tool. Don't feel safer would probably take it off in a emergency and use it as a boogy board. On the river you have to obey as you never know when he will arrive and it is law. I have been let off enough times too know.
As for where and when I go kiting good luck too him catch me if you can be bothered.
Hard too teach an old dog new tricks I say.

jamdfingr said...

Pat Sparks Strikes Again!!!!

He's like a crouching tiger.... waiting to pounce.... Fine book at the ready....


... ehh... I cant complain, as an intermediate, I wear a PFD for both kiting and windsurfing....

Too lazy to kick my arms and legs and swim!

Ha ha, your right about pat waiting to pounce, but it's nothing like a crouching tiger, more like a fat elephant stumbling towards the water for a drink.

are the inflatable pfd1's acceptable?

like the ones in the issuu.com/jarviswalker/docs/fit_out_you_kayak_promo

haveing a look around looks like they are suitable pfd1 = open water.
Just need to get a manual inflate one not automatic dun want it going off every time you get wet

DaGodfather said...


What IS annoying though is that kitesurfers and windsurfers need a bulky PDF TYPE 1 when more then 400m out into the sea.

Hypothetically, what about if you don't go more than 400m out to sea? You don't need a pfd? what about on a closed body of water, like Lake Alexandria at Milang?

Could I just not claim that I was not any further out than that to avoid a fine?

TKC

My newly formed advice is continue how you have been, always have a good look at the beach before you get out of the water, and if the day arises that you see one of our friends lurking in the shrubs, or rolling down the hill, like our friend down at Victor, either head back out for a down winder, or forget who you are when packing your gear up. Just make sure they don't see which car you drive.

On another note, I sent a letter to the Marine and Harbours about the fine i received, in it saying all the things that were wrong about it; the sly tatics our overweight friend used, random policing of the law, the discrimination in letting some kiters off and not me, and the fact that he said I wouldn't be fined if the others weren't wearing one (which they weren't), and the reply was a generic response letter, not addressing any of my points.
So I don't think they have the slightest interest in listening to what we as kiters have to say.

I've learnt my lesson, the expensive way ..... $160 fine + $60 victims of crime levy, + a new life jacket that sux for $60 = an expensive day kiting.

If I ever see my mate again lurking in the bushes, I know know what to do, and wont make the same mistake twice.