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South Australia’s Recreational Boating Safety Strategy

South Australia’s Recreational Boating Safety Strategy 2025–2030 sets out how boating safety will be improved on our waters over the next five years.

More boaters, jet ski riders, paddle boarders and other watercraft users are making the most of our state’s 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

The strategy’s vision is to:

  • foster a culture of safety among recreational boaters
  • achieve zero fatalities and zero harm to others.

Informed by community feedback, the strategy details how we will improve safety through five 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.

The strategy is a practical plan with associated actions for each of the priority areas.

We will continue to collaborate with marine safety partners and the community to progress these actions.