Photo / NZMETransport Minister Michael Wood says he will consider the latest call to make the wearing of lifejackets compulsory on small boats following a Coroner's report into the drowning of a teenager in 2016. The boat had lifejackets on board, but the two men were not wearing them at the time. Rescue efforts failed to find the body of Matt Smith, who drowned off the coast of New Plymouth in 2016. Currently, Maritime New Zealand's Safer Boating Guide only recommends people "should" wear lifejackets on boats of less than 6m in length. The Coroner said in 2010 Maritime NZ proposed making lifejackets compulsory on small boats, but the Government at the time decided not to amend the rules, although some regional authorities brought in bylaws to reflect the proposal.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 03, 2021 02:15 UTC