The Dept of Transport media release I just found.
Offshore kite and wind surfers need safety gear Kite and wind surfers operating more than 400 metres from shore are now required to carry safety equipment. Department of Transport Coordinator of Safety Education Laurie Adams said the growing popularity of kite and wind surfing, coupled with recent developments in the sports and participants venturing further and further offshore had prompted new laws to improve safety of the activities. "The laws, which apply from today (August 1, 2014), promote safety and have the capacity to save lives," Mr Adams said. "Endorsed by the WA Kite Surfing Association and Windsurfing Western Australia following extensive consultation, the new requirements will be the subject of an education campaign and phased in over the next 18 months." If a kite or wind surfer is between 400 metres and two nautical miles from shore they now require a lifejacket and can chose to carry either red and orange flares or an Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Between two and five nautical miles operators must carry a lifejacket and EPIRB and further offshore they must also carry parachute flares. Mr Adams said recognition of kite and wind surfing as an aquatic activity also gave DoT authority to create on water areas for the activities in consultation with local Government allowing for improved safety and coordination of land based areas for rigging, take- off and landing. DoT has launched Kite and Wind Surf Safe to raise awareness about the about the new laws. To view the campaign visit www.transport.wa.gov.au/kitesafe
Stop sooking gents, all they have really done is recognise kiting within the existing legislation, up until now we weren't recognised as vessels which actually left us quite vulnerable within existing legislation, especially when it comes to right of way etc etc. 98% of kiters won't go out beyond 400 metres, of those that do venture out that far the tweak in the legislation most likely won't change their attitude towards wearing PFD's or carrying flares/EPIRBS. They either will carry them or they won't. And fark knows how DoT would actually enforce it anyway
Marine flares work perfectly well when wet, EPIRBS are quite small these days and don't need to be touched for 6-7 years of their battery warranty (and only certain models are water activated), it also looks like beyond 400 metres it needs to be a type 1 PFD, there are inflatable type 1's on the market for less than $100 and I think these would tuck in under a rashie fairly well.
And don't take 'recent developments' as incidents, yeah it could be PilotPete's collision, or simply its someone in DoT that identified a hole in existing legislation and was also looking for an example for a promotion application
. I also know for a fact that there are a number of searches conducted every summer in Perth metro waters for kiters in distress that involve expensive search and volunteer assets, most of which rarely make the news or this forum.
And I guess many of you started sooking before you actually looked into it and missed this bit
Mr Adams said recognition of kite and wind surfing as an aquatic activity also gave DoT authority to create on water areas for the activities in consultation with local Government allowing for improved safety and coordination of land based areas for rigging, take- off and landing.
I know what I would rather and will spend my money on.
