PFDs

i think the surfski exemption from NSW maritime rules governing small craft was removed last year

another unwarranted and unwelcome intervention from our country's nanny state

it's absolutely ridiculous that anyone, with no pre-qualification or due diligence on their swimming ability, can enter a 2km open water swim but ski paddlers less than 1km from the coast need to wear PFDs while paddling

not true.
Recent response from NSW Maritime to query:
The legislation regarding lifejackets changed on 1 November 2010. Current regulations state that a surf ski is exempt from the safety equipment requirements of the Marine Safety (General) Regulation 2009. Therefore lifejackets are not required to be worn or carried on surf skis on NSW waters (this includes both ocean and enclosed waters).
The rules regarding lifejackets will be reviewed periodically to ensure they are having the desired effect, but no changes are currently slated

if that's true, 2Dogs (and Stew, earlier), have made my day

however, i have never seen a written exemption anywhere and no-one can provide one

which is probably why NSW Maritime have had no hesitation stopping me several times for not wearing a PFD (altho one is on the boat)

they claim no knowledge of a ski exemption and retort that it is clearly a type of canoe or kayak so is bounded by those regs

difficult to fault the logic but hopefully someone can show us something in writing

The comment made above is from an email direct from NSW Maritime (A/Policy & Projects Officer, Office of Boating Safety). So I'm more than comfortable challenging a pull-over or potential fine.

It is unequivocal, there is NO requirement to wear a Lifejacket (or PFD) in NSW whilst on a "surf ski". (However, a race "condition of entry" may specify that a PFD has to be worn in a particular race - eg the Hawkesbury Classic.)
The issue here is then what is defined as a "surf ski"; NSW Maritime, in their publications, has no such definition.
It is obvious that a "spec" ski would fulfill that definition, but what about an "OR" ski? Then where do you stop; does a wave ski satisfy the rule? What about a SOT and/or a fishing kayak? Again there is no definition.

Please find the following.
This was cut and pasted from the NSW Maritime Lifejacket Reforms - Frequently Asked Questions section.


Will I have to wear a lifejacket on a surf ski?

A surf ski is exempt from the safety equipment requirements of the Marine Safety (General) Regulation 2009. Therefore lifejackets are not required to be worn or carried on surf skis on NSW waters (this includes both ocean and enclosed waters).

Just looking at the Hiko Sport website, manufacturer of the Think PFD, I see that their standard (ie non Think branded) Multisport PFD features a rear hydration bladder (or flare, mast etc) pocket; see www.hikosport.com/multisport-1896/f3494/

Hey Stew, Nice looking jacket,but for paddling I probably would like a pocket in the back That aside does it have a PFD rating?The reason I ask is that I sail as well and we are required to wear a PFD2 jacket.And im up for a new one of them,and a jacket that I could use for both would be very handy.
Cheers
Chris

Looks like a change in policy, Nov 2012 NSW changed the ACT to remove Surf Ski under secion 81 (1) c as being excempt.

In the last month of 2012, NSW Transport/Maritime changed the rules regarding skis and PFDs. They now define a surf ski as "a "spec" ski as used in Surf Life Saving NSW events and used by its members in training and competition" see www.lifejacketwearit.com.au/vessel-type/paddle-surf-ski/

If the MSB should now ask the question, my Stellar has morphed into a "speccy" and I have just become an extremely ancient "Clubbie" out on a training paddle.

Seems a bit weird to make a surf ski wear one and yet not SUPs when they are often in the same water www.lifejacketwearit.com.au/vessel-type/...e-stand-paddleboard/