The mobile Old4New van will be at Moorebank this Sunday, October 12, between 2pm and 5pm.
The visit is part of a Transport for NSW program to change the perception that lifejackets are too bulky and uncomfortable to wear.
The campaign van will be located at Davy Robinson Park, Davy Robinson Drive, which is off Newbridge Road.
Following on from last year’s successful tour, the van will be back visiting some 100 popular boating hot spots across the state, including many new locations, says Melanie Gibbons, State Member for Menai.
“A lot of work has been done to get people wearing the new generation slimline lifejackets and we will continue to drive home the message to boaters again this boating season,’’ Ms Gibbons said this week.
“People who see the van get the opportunity to trade in their old lifejackets and get a discount off new ones “ Ms Gibbons said.
“At the visits, experienced staff will chat with the boating community and offer advice on what type of lifejacket best suits their own needs. Like a lot of other products, lifejackets have improved and evolved over time. They are no longer big and bulky but are slimline and comfortable to wear all day during any type of on-water activity” Ms Gibbons said.
The program has been designed to promote wearing a lifejacket, particularly in small boats, right throughout the boating journey.
“I was alarmed to hear that over the past decade, nine out of 10 people who drowned while boating weren’t wearing a lifejacket. Programs such as this one will hopefully go a long way to reducing this number,” said Ms Gibbons.
Lifejackets must be worn in craft under 4.8m at night, offshore, on alpine waters or when alone; and by anyone under the age of 12 years.
“People need to make putting on a lifejacket a habit, because one day it might just save your life.”
Last season, the Transport for NSW Old4New lifejacket van visited over 90 locations, spoke to thousands of people and exchanged more than 2500 lifejackets.
For further information on the lifejacket promotional vehicle, visit lifejacketwearit.com.au
