stehsegler, I think a "life jacket" always has a floatation collar to keep your head out of the water - much like the ones you find on commercial ferrys etc. I used to sail Optimists back when I was 8 or 9 and we had to wear them.

Are we not talking about "buoyancy aids" for windsurfing? They do exactly what they are called - aid in your buoyancy but don't flip you over or hold your head out of the water.

coriolis said...

The new rules look like all sailboards in open ocean must carry a suitable lifejacket which must be worn when required.

Think you got it there Coriolis, two things here :
1 requirement to carry a life jacket
2 requirement to wear a life jacket

The rules for carrying a life jacket haven't changed, these changes only relate to when you have to put it on.

Requirements for windsurfers :
1 carry a life jacket at all times
2 wear it when at 'heightened risk' - e.g. more than 400m from shore and sailing alone, when you decide you want to, when a resonable person would determine there is a 'heightened risk'

Now, on a windsurfer I guess the only place to carry a lifejacket where it is easily accessible in case of hightened risk is to wear it, so the two rules get mixed into one.

I guess if you got caught and you could prove to a judge that sailing alone more than 400m from shore was not a heightened risk (maybe a 50 knot onshore with 12 knot current taking you onto the beach and you had an eprib and there were 23 people watching from shore with a helicopter on standby) then you could probably get away with it.

Don't get me wrong, I won't be wearing one (I do own one) and can't see that wearing a pfd cl 2 would ever have helped me (cold water probably the biggest assistance in my mind), but I would suggest that as a member of a responsible community of windsurfers we should probably support these rules, or certainly support the principal of carrying and wearing of safety devices such that our activities are seen as responsible and not irresponsible.

Mmmm ----- so publically I may support the rules but privately I am going to decide not to carry one, or wear one. But as a sober and responsible person I am willing to accept the consequence of my actions, whether they be injury to myself, cost of recovering me, or judgement and punishment if I get caught (I am sure I will change my mind though when it happens).

Much like so many other laws really. You know it is also the law not to speed when driving to the beach. I bet not 100% of people follow it 100% of the time. And I bet, of the people who break it, not 100% die instantly in a fireball of speed.

Each to their own, they are the rules, you have free choice to follow them or not, but if you choose to ignore them then don't come bitching when it goes wrong.

I too did the NSW Maritime survey and believed that we would be left as is, but looks like we will be expected to comply after Nov. 1st. So much for community consultation!
I always wear a helmet but believe that as I never go past the 400m invisible line (well not very often officer) I would be reluctant to buy a pfd (personal flotation device). I reckon pdf's could be a life saver (no pun intended) in some situations and a pain in the proverbial in others. Holding onto your mast tip and going under a set would be near impossible with a pdf.
After the 1st Nov. I will be very careful not to go past the 400m line.
Wonder if Maritime officers are good at estimating distances? How do their boats handle the surf? Not good I expect.

wbailey said...

and believed that we would be left as is

In the FAQ it says the requirements for "sailboarders" has not changed - the information they've provided is a bit contradictory in places but that's the clearest answer they give on it.