Improving safety on the water for everyone
24 January 2025
We have released South Australia’s first Recreational Boating Safety Strategy 2025–2030.
Informed by community feedback, the strategy is a practical plan that sets out what we want to achieve over the next five years.
More boaters, jet ski riders, paddle boarders and other watercraft users are making the most of our coastal and inland waters. Unfortunately, sometimes incidents do occur.
In the last 20 years, 65 people lost their lives by drowning while boating in powered and non-powered watercraft in South Australia.
(Drowning data provided by Royal Life Saving Society - Australia’s National Fatal Drowning Database)
A further five people died over the last ten years from trauma-related incidents on the water. This includes collisions or other sudden impacts.
There are many more cases of boaters who experienced near misses, accidents or required rescue.
About the strategy
Our vision is to:
- foster a culture of safety among recreational boaters
- achieve zero fatalities and zero harm to others.
The strategy details how we will improve safety through five key priority areas.
Safer boating through education
Increasing education opportunities on boating safety for young people, boaters and retailers.
Safer boating operation and knowledge
Introducing boat licence reforms to encourage safer operation and knowledge.
Lifejacket wear and safety equipment review
Reviewing requirements for lifejacket wear and safety equipment to make it simpler and safer for all.
Safer waterway management
Supporting and enforcing safer boating behaviours to help users share the water.
Safer boating through technology
Using technology to improve boating safety.
We will continue to collaborate with marine safety partners and the community to progress these actions.
Read the strategy
Download South Australia’s Recreational Boating Safety Strategy (PDF, 4167 KB).