Stay Afloat with us
Lifejackets are one of the most important pieces of safety equipment when boating.
Airtight knowledge and regular maintenance are crucial to keep yourself and your loved ones safe on the water.
Our Stay Afloat lifejacket clinics will share boating safety information at boat ramps and key events across the State.
Visit our Stay Afloat clinics to:
- learn how to wear and maintain your lifejacket
- know what safety gear you need
- understand emergency communications
- ask any other boating safety questions.
We can also help you understand:
- the different types of lifejackets
- how to clean, size and fit a lifejacket.
The clinics are free and walk-in friendly. No bookings required!
Personal assistance
Need help with a specific lifejacket? Bring it along!
We will help you to maintain your lifejacket with a lifejacket checklist (PDF, 79.6 KB).
Some lifejacket replacement parts are available for free.
Upcoming clinics
Upcoming locations and times of Stay Afloat clinics are listed below.
Stay Afloat clinics typically run for three hours. There is a one-hour lifejacket maintenance session in each clinic.
Clinics are subject to weather conditions, so they may be cancelled or rescheduled. To get the latest updates before each event, check this page or follow us on Facebook.
| Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Port Hughes boat ramp | Saturday, 23 August 2025 | 9 am–12 pm |
| Wallaroo boat ramp | Saturday, 30 August 2025 | 9 am–12 pm |
| Riverland Field Days – Barmera | Friday, 12 September to Saturday, 13 September 2025 | Two clinics each day:
|
| Yorke Peninsula Field Days – Paskeville | Tuesday, 30 September to Thursday, 2 October 2025 | Two clinics each day:
|
| SA Boat and Fishing Show – Wayville | Friday, 24 October to Sunday, 26 October 2025 | Two clinics each day:
|
| Port MacDonnell boat ramp | Saturday, 8 November 2025 | 9 am–12 pm |
| Beachport boat ramp | Sunday, 9 November 2025 | 9 am–12 pm |
| Robe boat ramp | Sunday, 9 November 2025 | 2 pm–4 pm |
| Port Lincoln | Saturday, 15 November 2025 | 9 am–12 pm |
| Streaky Bay boat ramp | Saturday, 29 November 2025 | 9 am–12 pm |
| Ceduna boat ramp | Sunday, 30 November 2025 | 9 am–12 pm |
| Mannum – Mary Ann Reserve | Saturday, 6 December 2025 | 9 am–12 pm |
Request a clinic
If you are a club, company, association or council, you can request a Stay Afloat clinic. Visit SA.GOV.AU to apply for a Stay Afloat lifejacket clinic.
Lifejackets save lives
Lifejackets are the most important piece of safety equipment when boating.
Over the last 20 years, boating-related incidents were the second leading cause of drowning deaths in South Australia.
- A total of 65 lives were lost through to June 2024.
- Of these 65 drowning deaths, only one person was known to be wearing a lifejacket.
(Drowning data has been provided by the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia from the National Fatal Drowning Database.)
Protect yourself and your loved ones on the water. Make sure you know how to use a lifejacket properly and maintain it regularly.
South Australia’s Recreational Boating Safety Strategy
The Stay Afloat clinics are one of the first initiatives from South Australia’s Recreational Boating Safety Strategy.
The strategy’s vision is to:
- foster a culture of safety among recreational boaters
- achieve zero fatalities and zero harm to others.
Read South Australia's Recreational Boating Safety Strategy .