Life breathed back into 80 lifejackets

TIME FOR AN UPGRADE: Nicole Pearks fits a new lifejacket on Grant Neal, one of more than 80 replaced during Coastguard New Zealand’s Old4New lifejacket upgrade and education campaign here on Saturday. Picture by Paul Rickard

A 40-YEAR-old lifejacket was just one of more than 80 upgraded in Gisborne on Saturday, in a campaign to improve boating and water safety.

More than 120 people took part in Coastguard New Zealand’s Old4New lifejacket upgrade and education campaign.

The nationwide campaign gives boaties the chance to trade in their old lifejackets for new Hutchwilco models at a discounted price and get information on boating and water safety.

Coastguard New Zealand project co-ordinator Sue Tucker said it was a long journey getting to Gisborne but the “excellent response” made it worth it.

“It was really busy, an excellent response from Gisborne. People were really appreciative of us coming the distance to Gisborne.”

Along with the lifejacket swap, experts were on hand to give advice and check older lifejackets.

“People brought in their older ones which we were able to bring up to standard,” Ms Tucker said.

“Some jackets were 40 years old. There was a lot of rubbish.”

The day was also about providing information on ocean safety and the Coastguard, Ms Tucker said.

“People need to take responsibility for their safety, including maintaining their lifejackets and straps. We also spoke with people about joining the Coastguard, and the importance of doing trip reports.

“That way if people get into trouble we know where to find them. The information is out there, people just need to seek it.

“There have been too many drownings in recent times. We want all people on boats, not just the skipper, to think of their own safety.”

Anyone who did not make it on Saturday can visit Harbourview Marine this week until noon on Saturday to take advantage of the campaign.