COA S TAL SAFE T Y BRIE F BOATING S U R F L I FE S AV I N G AU S T R A L I A
NBAT O AT I OINNAGL SONVAEPRSVHI O EW T 2 0 0 4 -1 9
ANALYSIS On average, at least 23 people drown per year as a result of boating. It’s the second highest number of deaths for an individual activity.
17
RANK
AVERAGE DEATHS PER YEAR
23
76
65
2nd 0.10
29 69
AVERAGE FATALITY RATE
47 37
PER 100,000 POPULATION
KEY DEMOGRAPHIC
DROWNING DEATH LOCATION
MALES AGED
3% 5%
9%
DROWNING DEATHS
60–75
340 93%
Australian residents, Australian born
22%
11%
22%
14%
QLD
20%
19%
QLD NSW WA VIC TAS SA NT
LIFEJACKET USE AT TIME OF INCIDENT
PARTICIPATION3 • 2.7 million boaters in 2019
MALE
• 0.7 million frequent users (at least once a month)
AVERAGE AGE
• Occasional boaters average 10 hours per year
51
• Frequent boaters average 150 hours per year
BOATING DROWNING DEATHS TREND Rate per 100,000 pop. Total drowning deaths
0.13 32%
0.10
0.11
0.10
0.09
0.09
0.09 0.07
0.07
0.06
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA SECTION
2
28
25
25
23
22
16
21
31
21
28
15
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
15
2008-09
28
2007-08
22
2006-07
No Yes Unknown
20
2005-06
53% 20%
No Lifejacket 14%
0.11 0.11
0.11
2004-05
53%
0.13
0.13
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – BOATING SECTION NAME
B O AT I N G I N A U S T R A L I A
Boating is an extremely popular activity in and around Australian coastal waterways. There are 2.7 million coastal boaters in Australia, of which 700,000 are frequent participants. An estimated 18% of Australians go boating each year, with the majority from Queensland, Tasmania, and New South Wales. Behavioural research revealed that the most common reasons for boating are for fun and enjoyment (73%), relaxation (71%), being with friends and family (68%) and being outdoors or in the natural environment (65%). Furthermore, the most popular boating activities are reported as fishing (69%) and touring or cruising (58%). While many Australians enjoy recreating on the water, unfortunately there are too many incidents that end in injury and death. There have been 340 coastal boating-related drowning deaths between 2004-2019, which is an average of 23 drowning deaths per year. There have been a further 232 fatalities that were not drowning-related, equating to a total of 572 boating fatalities between 2004-19. Recreational boating is consistently the second highest coastal drowning activity nationally (following swimming & wading), however it is ranked first in Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Between 2004-19, more than half (53%) of all coastal boating drowning deaths were known not to be wearing a lifejacket. However, this number could be much higher with 32% remaining unknown. Lifejackets clearly positively impact the outcome of boating incidents yet are rarely worn as recommended. Currently, legislation is state-based and varies according to each state. Surf Life Saving Australia collaborates with the Australian New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group (ANZSBEG) to develop educational interventions to increase the wear rate of lifejackets. Representing the key stakeholders in recreational boating safety across Australia and New Zealand, ANZSBEG is an excellent example of a cross jurisdictional collaboration working to establish consistency across key educational messages such as the International Lifejacket Principles initiative.
L O C AT I O N
Ashmore Reef
5
2004 – 2019
BOATING DROWNING DEATHS & FATALITIES BY STATE (n=572)
Key to Incident Location
Boating Drowning Deaths 2
Boating Fatalities
3
7 2
2
Multiple incidents at the same location
4
Capital city
2
2
BOATING DROWNING BLACKSPOTS NSW
VIC
Sutherland Shire (10) Port Stephens (9) Shoalhaven (6)
Mornington Peninsula (5) Hobsons Bay (7)
QLD
City of Cockburn (7) Shire of Carnarvon (6)
Gladstone (8) Townsville (8) Whitsunday (7) Redland City (7)
65 | 58
4
WA
3
4 2
TAS Clarence City (6) 2
3
2 7
2
PERTH
4
5 3
2 4 2
2
2004 – 2019 BOATING DROWNING DEATHS (n=340) AND FATALITIES (n=232) BY STATE
3%
OCCURRED IN QLD
22% 30%
DROWING DEATHS
FATALITIES
5%
5% 9%
0
9%
22%
30%
6%
11%
6% 14%
20%
19%
QLD NSW WA VIC TAS SA NT
25%
DROWNING DEATHS
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
18%
FATALITIES
2
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – BOATING
2 2 3
DARWIN 4 3
4
3
4 2
17 | 11
3 3 2 3 3 2 2
3
2
76 | 70 2 2 3 2
6 2 3 2 3 3
29 | 22
4 3 4 3 2
3
BRISBANE
3
2
69 | 42 2
3
3
2
2
2
3 2
4 2
3
3
3 2
3
2
SYDNEY
ADELAIDE
2 2
2
6 24 14 3 2
CANBERRA 5 14
2 3
2
4 2
6 2 3 2
MELBOURNE 6 2
4 2 2
2
1,000km
2
SCALE
47 | 15
2 2
2
2
HOBART 2
3
37 | 14 9 2
2 2
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
3
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – BOATING
3 4 2 6
C A U S A L A N A LY S I S 2 0 0 4 -1 9
FATALITY
DROWNING DEATH
90% MALE
93% MALE
2004 – 2019 BOATING DROWNING DEATHS AND FATALITIES INCIDENT LOCATION 2%
OCCURRED OFFSHORE
4%
70% 40%
18%
18% 4%
DROWNING DEATHS
1%
Bay Beach Jetty Offshore Port/Marina River/Creek Rock/Cliff
70%
FATALITIES
25%
12% 40% 2%
DROWNING DEATHS
FATALITIES
2004 – 2019 BOATING DROWNING DEATHS AND FATALITIES CONTINENT OF BIRTH 1% 7%
AUSTRALIAN BORN
72% 49%
<1%
2% 6%
8% 16% 11%
DROWING DEATHS
72%
FATALITIES
Australia Europe Asia Oceania Africa North America Latin America/Carribbean
DROWNING DEATHS
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
4
51%
24%
FATALITIES
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – BOATING
C A U S A L A N A LY S I S 2 0 0 4 -1 9
DROWNING DEATH Average age of deceased
51 YEARS
FATALITY
22% 17%
23% 18%
Average age of deceased
53
AGED 60-69 YEARS
AGED 45-54 YEARS
AGED 60-69 YEARS
AGED 45-54 YEARS
YEARS
2004 – 2019 BOATING DROWNING DEATHS AND FATALITIES TOXICOLOGY
ALCOHOL
17%
7%
2% 10%
1%
4%
5%
4%
6%
7% 5%
DROWING DEATHS
FATALITIES
Alcohol Alcohol & Drugs Drugs None Other Unknown
66%
78%
DROWNING DEATHS
FATALITIES
2004 – 2019 SECONDARY ACTIVITY FOR BOATING DROWNING DEATHS AND FATALITIES
RECREATIONAL FISHING
56% 21%
3%
1%
2% 21%
9% 23% 12%
<1%
DROWNING DEATHS
56% 17%
FATALITIES
Fishing (Rec) Boating (Rec) Fall Fishing (Work) Swimming/Wading Asylum Seeker Boating (Work) Other Unknown
5% 6%
DROWNING DEATHS
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
5
41% FATALITIES
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – BOATING
C A U S A L A N A LY S I S D R O W N I N G D E AT H 2 0 0 4 -1 9
AGE 40
BOATING DROWNING DEATHS BY AGE (n=339*)
51 YEARS
35 29
21% 20%
32
31
32
27
23
23
18
AGED 60-69 YEARS
14
12
AGED 45-54 YEARS
2
1
0-4
5-9
10
5
3
2
10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85+
* This number does not include ‘unknown’ age. Age was unknown for one case.
TIME 25
23 21
21
20
16 14 11
10
7
12
11
8 6
7
6
7
6
2
11 - 12am
9 - 10pm
7 - 8pm
8 - 9pm
6 - 7pm
4 - 5pm
5 - 6pm
3 - 4pm
1 - 2pm
12 - 1pm
10 - 11am
11 - 12pm
8 - 9am
9 - 10am
7 - 8am
6 - 7am
5 - 6am
4 - 5am
2 - 3am
12-3PM
1
3 - 4am
0
5
4
10 - 11pm
5
14
14
4
1 - 2am
7-10AM
16
15
12 - 1am
22% 21%
18
2 - 3pm
BOATING DROWNING DEATHS BY TIME (n=254*)
*This number does not include ‘unknown’ time of death, this is due to under reporting of night-time deaths which are usually not recorded until the morning and have occurred without witnesses. 25% (n=86) of cases occurred at unknown times.
MONTH BOATING DROWNING DEATHS BY MONTH (n=340) Shading denotes seasons
29% 26% MARCH-MAY
34
34 30
26
26
27
26 21
20
DECEMBER-FEBRUARY
41
40
15
July
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
August
September
6
October
November
December
January
February
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – BOATING
March
April
May
June
C A U S A L A N A LY S I S F ATA L I T Y 2 0 0 4 -1 9
AGE BOATING FATALITIES DEATHS BY AGE (n=232)
53 YEARS
31
28% 18%
29 23
21
20
18
17 12
AGED 60-69 YEARS
14
13
13
7 0 0-4
4
2 5-9
3
1
10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84
AGED 45-54 YEARS
TIME BOATING FATALITIES BY TIME (n=181*)
8
11
9
8
11
12
8
8
7-10AM
3
3
4 2
10 - 11pm
8 - 9pm
7 - 8pm
6 - 7pm
4 - 5pm
5 - 6pm
3 - 4pm
1 - 2pm
2 - 3pm
12 - 1pm
10 - 11am
11 - 12pm
8 - 9am
9 - 10am
7 - 8am
6 - 7am
5 - 6am
4 - 5am
2 - 3am
1
3 - 4am
1 - 2am
12 - 1am
3-6PM
5
4
4 2
11 - 12am
9
13
12
11
10
9 - 10pm
19% 20%
13 10
*This number does not include ‘unknown’ time of death, this is due to under reporting of night-time deaths which are usually not recorded until the morning and have occurred without witnesses. 22% (n=51) of cases occurred at unknown times.
MONTH BOATING FATALITIES BY MONTH (n=228*) Shading denotes seasons
28% 27%
DECEMBER-FEBRUARY
SEPTEMBER-NOVBEMBER
27 21
23 20
17
20
18
17
20 17 9
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
February
* This number does not include ‘unknown’ month. 2% (n=4) of cases were unknown.
19
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
7
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – BOATING
March
April
May
June
4 85+
FATALITY
DROWNING DEATH WHY
12%
17%
AFFECTED BY ALCOHOL OR DRUGS
AFFECTED BY ALCOHOL OR DRUGS
78%
53%
NOT WEARING A LIFEJACKET
NOT WEARING A LIFEJACKET
WHERE
76%
80%
MORE THAN 5KM TO A LIFESAVING SERVICE
MORE THAN 5KM TO A LIFESAVING SERVICE
40%
70%
WERE BOATING OFFSHORE (MORE THAN 500M)
WERE BOATING OFFSHORE (MORE THAN 500M)
WHEN
69%
70%
BOATING BETWEEN 6AM–6PM
BOATING BETWEEN 6AM–6PM
30%
28%
DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS
WHO
DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS
98% 71%
76% 73%
WERE AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS
WERE AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS
LIVED MORE THAN 10KM FROM INCIDENT LOCATION
LIVED MORE THAN 10KM FROM INCIDENT LOCATION
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
8
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – BOATING
HAZARD PERCEPTION
2014 – 2019 COASTAL HAZARD PERCEPTION OF BOATERS 49%
Q. How hazardous do you believe the coast to be? (Including the ocean, surfzone and adjacent rocky coast)
36%
49% BOATERS BELIEVE THE COAST IS SOMEWHAT HAZARDOUS
23% 13%
10%
5% 1% Extremely hazardous
Very hazardous
Somewhat hazardous
Not very hazardous
Not at all hazardous
Can't say
2015 – 2019 HAZARD PERCEPTION OF BOATING
Q. How hazardous do you believe boating to be? 45%
45%
34%
BOATERS BELIEVE THAT BOATING IS SOMEWHAT HAZARDOUS
10%
9%
2%
0%
Extremely hazardous
Very hazardous
Somewhat hazardous
Not very hazardous
Not at all hazardous
Can't say
2015 – 2019 HAZARD PERCEPTION OF FREQUENT VS OCCASIONAL BOATERS Q. How hazardous do you believe boating to be? Frequent
20% FREQUENT BOATERS BELIEVE BOATING IS EXTREMELY /VERY HAZARDOUS
38% 33%
35%
15% 8%
7%
5%
9%
1% Extremely hazardous
Occasional
47%
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
0% Very hazardous
9
Somewhat hazardous Not very hazardous Not at all hazardous
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – BOATING
1%
Can't say
P A R T I C I P AT I O N P R O F I L E
142
2.7
700,000
MILLION COASTAL BOATERS
(AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH)
FREQUENT COASTAL BOATERS
BOATING HOURS PER FREQUENT BOATER PER YEAR
2019
2014 – 2019 AGE OF BOATERS
23% 20%
43%
15%
BOATERS ARE 16-34 YEARS OF AGE
16 - 24
25 - 34
2014 – 2019 OCEAN SWIMMING ABILITY OF BOATERS
35 - 49
50+
34% 26%
29% BOATERS ARE WEAK SWIMMERS OR UNABLE TO SWIM IN THE OCEAN
18%
23%
10% 6% 1% Unable to Swim
Weak
Average
Competent
Highy Competent
Cant Say
2014 – 2019 NATIONAL PARTICIPATION IN COASTAL BOATING 21%
20%
17%
18% AUSTRALIANS PARTICIPATE IN BOATING ACTIVITIES
21%
20%
18%
18%
15% 13%
Total
Male
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
Female
10
NSW/ACT
VIC
QLD
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – BOATING
SA/NT
WA
TAS
2019 SELF-REPORTED BOATING EXPERTISE 48%
26%
26%
BOATERS ARE ADVANCED USERS
26%
Beginner
2016 – 2019 TYPE OF BOAT USED
Intermediate
Advanced
73%
73%
19%
USE POWER BOAT ON A TRAILER
Power boat on trailer
2014 – 2019 WHERE DO BOATERS USUALLY GO?
14%
Power boat on mooring/marina
Sail boat on mooring/marina
6%
3%
Sail boat on trailer
Other
40%
40%
23%
21% 14%
GO BOATING IN THE BAY/HARBOUR Bay/Harbour
Estuary/Mangrove
Offshore < 2NM
Offshore >2NM
2016 – 2019 HOW DO BOATERS CHOOSE THEIR LOCATION? 69%
69% CHOOSE LOCATION BASED ON WEATHER CONDITIONS
62%
57%
50%
48% 35%
Weather conditions
Sea conditions
Good fishing
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
Is safe /protected
11
Easy launching
29%
23%
Is easy to Is close to My friends park where I launch go there my boat
21%
Is close to home
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – BOATING
19%
12%
Is secluded/ Has uncrowded amenities
8%
8%
My club/ my boat is there
Watersports area
LIFEJACKET USE 2 016 I P S O S R E P O R T
Surf Life Saving Australia’s (SLSA) main goal is to reduce coastal drowning deaths. Nationally, boating is consistently the second highest activity drowning victims are participating in when the fatality occurs. Lifejacket usage plays an important role in the outcome of boating incidents and where participants survive or not. In 2016, we commissioned Ipsos Social Research Institute to conduct a qualitative research project into the conceptions and behaviours of boaters with regards to lifejacket usage. This research revealed that wearing a lifejacket is the exception rather than the norm. The belief that (in non-threatening situations), lifejackets are only necessary for people who can’t swim is a clear signal about inadequate or inappropriate perceptions of risk associated with boating. The survey indicates that boaters are more likely to report always wearing a lifejacket when the boat is moving (40%) versus stationary (28%). Only 20% of skippers say they always see other boaters wearing lifejackets. While 73% of skippers always ensure children wear a lifejacket, only 41% do so for adult passengers. While 67% of boaters own a lifejacket (89% of skippers, specifically), boaters born overseas are less likely to own one (60%). When asked why they always wear a lifejacket, boaters said to be safe (58%), to be prepared for unexpected situations or accidents (25%), because it can save your life (19%) or because it’s the law (11%). Among those who wear a lifejacket at least some of the time, common situations were when conditions become rough (76%), threatening weather is approaching
(66%), or they are in the open ocean (56%), among other common reasons relating to passengers and conditions. Boaters who do not always wear a lifejacket say it is because they are too bulky or uncomfortable (31%), restrict movement (28%), and are too hot in warm weather (27%), or because they don’t think they’ll go in (23%), have never really thought about it (20%), or because no one else wears one (15%). One in five boaters think lifejackets are for people who cannot swim, but only one in ten believe those who wear them are being overly cautious. The majority disagree with the statement ‘lifejackets are for those who take risks’ (61%). Similar proportions of boaters believe lifejackets are worn by experienced boaters (25%) and by inexperienced boaters (24%), highlighting mixed perceptions. Nearly two thirds (64%) believe there is lifejacket legislation in their state, yet there is confusion about the details, with many assuming there is legislation about the number of lifejackets to be carried and children’s use of lifejackets (regardless of whether this was true). More than half (54%) support lifejackets being made mandatory at all times when boating, with boaters in Tasmania most likely to support this (74%), and those in Queensland least likely (44%). However, the vast majority support lifejackets being mandatory when boating at night or alone (both 80%), or crossing coastal sandbars or boating offshore (both 74%).
2016 IPSOS REPORT LIFEJACKET LEGISLATION AWARENESS BY STATE AND TERRITORY
47%*
* Caution low base size in NT, treat as indicative only
60%
40% 48%
52% 51% 91%
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
12
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – BOATING
2016 IPSOS REPORT IN WHAT SITUATIONS ARE BOATERS MOST LIKELY TO WEAR A LIFEJACKET 76% 76% 66%
76%
56%
51%
50%
49%
46%
44%
42%
WHEN CONDITIONS GET ROUGH
17%
16%
15%
Lots of boats around
Cooler weather
4% Rough coditions
Threatening weather approaching
Open ocean
Boating with children
Boating alone
When it's Whitecaps windy on the ocean
Crossing coastal sandbar
Participating in water sports
Fishing
6%
5%
4%
Other
2016 IPSOS REPORT WHAT ARE THE MAIN REASONS YOU ALWAYS WEAR A LIFEJACKET? 58% 58%
58%
25% 19%
WEAR A LIFEJACKET TO BE SAFE
11% To be safe Be prepared It can save for accident/ your life the unexpected
8%
8%
7%
It's the law Always wear Bouyancy It's important Gives me Being Poor a lifejacket and/or confidence/ sensible/ swimming visibility peace of mind responsible ability
3%
4%
Set a good example
Other
1% Don't know
2016 IPSOS REPORT WHAT ARE THE MAIN REASONS YOU DON’T WEAR A LIFEJACKET MORE OFTEN?
31% DON’T WEAR A LIFEJACKET BECAUSE IT’S TOO BULKY OR UNCOMFORTABLE
31%
28%
27% 23% 20% 15% 8%
Too bulky/ Restricts not ability to comfortable move
10% 6%
3%
3%
3%
3%
2%
2%
Too hot in I won’t Never really No one Boat is Difficult to Look I don't like Too Boat size It would do Boat is warm fall or thought else wears close access inexperienced the way expensive more harm not weather get swept in about it one to shore my pockets they look than good moving if I fell in
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
13
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – BOATING
Other
SAFET Y PR AC TICES
93%
2015 – 2019 SAFETY EQUIPMENT USE BY BOATERS Q. Please indicate what equipment you carry or use when boating?
93%
BOATERS CARRY A LIFEJACKET WHEN BOATING
89%
81%
77%
75%
69%
66%
61%
12% Lifejacket
Mobile phone
Anchor
Bucket
Torch
Radio
Flares
Buoyancy aid
Other
74%
2014 – 2019 SAFETY PRACTICES OF BOATERS Q. How often do you follow each of these practices when you go boating?
BOATERS CHECK THE WEATHER BEFORE THEIR VOYAGE Always
6%
2% 1%
2% 1% 8%
10%
6%
2% 1%
13%
15%
6%
Most of the time
2% 1%
2% 2%
Sometimes
8%
15%
20%
21%
81%
78%
74%
76%
Check weather conditions prior to leaving on your voyage
Carry necessary safety equipment
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
Avoid speeding on the water in regulated areas
14
5% 19%
20%
73%
49%
Use only registered and seaworthy vessels
Can’t say
2%
8%
15%
Never
Avoid boating\fishing under the influence of alcohol\drugs
Wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – BOATING
53%
Ensure all passengers wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid
3%
C O M M U N I C AT I O N S
Where boaters obtain safety information Online sources are the most popular method for obtaining coastal safety information. Women are more likely to have obtained boating information from family (41% compared with 27% of men), whereas older boaters (50+ years) are more likely to have learned new information by reading signage at launch locations (26% compared with 11% of 18-34 year olds and 18% of 35-49 year olds).
2014 – 2019 PLACES WHERE BOATERS USUALLY SEEK COASTAL SAFETY INFORMATION 75%
75% SEEK INFORMATION ONLINE
26% 21%
18% 13%
Online
Using an app on smartphone or tablet
TV
Radio
Newspaper
9%
6%
5%
4%
Regular email newsletter
Magazine
Other
None/ Can't say
2014 – 2019 AUTHORITIES THAT BOATERS TURN TO FOR COASTAL SAFETY INFORMATION 56%
56%
51%
50% 44%
42%
FROM THE BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY
41%
29%
27% 20%
18%
16%
50%
3%
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
su
15
COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF – BOATING
ay Ca
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ts
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B et ure eo a ro u o lo f gy
2%
M
FROM LIFEGUARDS
7%
B E H AVI OU R A L FR A M E WO RK FOR KEY AUDIENCES Desired Behaviour Change 1. Always wear a lifejacket
2. Always check weather conditions
CORE BEHAVIOUR
Experienced open water boaters: • Perceive risk but are prepared and equipped • More likely to check/ observe conditions in detail • More likely to boat in riskier spots and conditions • More likely to boat by themselves Experienced inshore boaters: • More likely to check/ observe conditions for comfort • Less concentration on safety as they are inshore (seen as less risky) • Boat to their ability
3. No boating under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
FACTORS
4. Know your ability and that of others
5. Always carry emergency equipment
KEY SOURCES OF BEHAVIOUR
CAPABILITY (Knowledge and skills) Psychological
• Many believe they are experienced and cautious. They believe that this minimises their risk • Past experience suggests they won’t get into trouble • They believe they have the ability to avoid problems • Experience leads to overconfidence in rough or tricky conditions (e.g. sandbar) • Belief they could swim or float to survive • Lack of consideration of lifejackets outside of tricky situations
CAPABILITY (Knowledge and skills) Physical
• Perceptions of experience are greater for self than others
MOTIVATION (Brain processes that energise and direct behaviour) Reflective
• Desire for relaxation and (for some) solitude or exhilaration, works against safety messaging • Safety considerations do influence when and where they boat • Safety behaviour is limited by attitudes (I’m experienced; I play it safe) • Overconfidence in ability to manage risk • Lifejackets seen as impractical and counter to some drivers of enjoyment (relaxation, etc.) • Confusion about legal status of lifejackets
MOTIVATION (Brain processes that energise and direct behaviour) Automatic
• Some haven’t given lifejackets much thought beyond making sure they are on board • Lack of thought about possibility of ‘going in’
OPPORTUNITY (Factors outside the individual) Social
• Don’t see many others wearing lifejackets • Some behavioural norms work against lifejacket use – they are for the inexperienced, for children or don’t see them being worn
Four in ten ‘always’ wear lifejackets when moving Lifejackets are often only used to mitigate tricky conditions/situations
SURF LIFE SAVING AUSTR ALIA
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K E Y TA R G E T S
Target Segmentation • Men 45-75 years • Australian residents, Australian born • In small open power boats WHO ARE THEY?
RISK BEHAVIOUR
Over confident and experienced boaters
They are less likely to believe they’re at risk of getting into trouble and believe they have a stronger swimming ability. They are also more likely to be familiar with the area where they go boating
Emphasise that boating incidents involve all sorts of boaters, and that the unexpected can happen at any time to anyone
They are more likely to participate in boating alone and less likely to wear a lifejacket at all times. May also mix drinking/drugs and boating but believe they have a stronger swimming ability
Challenge existing beliefs about their capabilities and the dangers of boating while also giving them strategies to minimise the risks
More likely to have a weaker swimming ability and not wear a lifejacket because it is not a social norm
Tap into the boating mindset by using relatable language that promotes common sense and can help change boating norms
Self-exempting when it comes to mitigating risk
Everyone else
HOW DO WE TALK WITH THEM?
Communication Barriers
POTENTIAL BARRIERS
COMMUNICATIONS APPROACH
Boaters can think that safety messages impact on their enjoyment
Some boaters believe that the wearing of a lifejacket at all times is limiting to their enjoyment. This frame of mind is contradictory to the aim of boating for relaxation. Therefore, safety messaging needs to remind participants that the range and availability of lifejackets and safety equipment have improved functionality and comfort
Confusion among boaters with regard to state lifejacket legislations
There is a reasonable level of support (or at least, acceptance) for legislation regarding lifejackets for boaters. However, changing social norms takes time, and some feel that things are moving in this direction. Yet there is likely to be continued strong resistance within some circles. Expectations regarding enforcement are likely to impact on behaviour, and it’s clear that the diversity and complexity of laws across different states and territories causes confusion. Ideally, legislation would be nationally consistent and simplified
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H O W T O R E A C H B O AT E R S
What information are boaters searching for? Among those who have searched for boating information in the last 12 months, information about the weather or swell conditions (77%) and information about locations (60%) were most commonly searched for. Passengers are more likely to say they have searched about weather or swell conditions in regard to boating (81% compared with 71% of skippers). However, a much greater proportion of skippers are searching for a broader range of information, including:
SAFETY TIPS
BOATING GEAR
60%
BOATING TECHNIQUES
47%
(compared with 48% of passengers)
44%
(compared with 34% of passengers)
(compared with 23% of passengers)
BOATING MAINTENANCE
40%
(compared with 21% of passengers)
How to Reach Boaters GENERAL
SAILING
• State/territory marine authorities
• Sail World – International Collective
• State/territory water police
• Afloat Magazine
• State/territory marine rescue organisations
• Australian Sailing – National Sporting organisiation
• Boat shows/conferences
• Sails Magazine – Sail racing magazine
• TV ads
• Offshore Yachting – Australia’s longest serving yachting magazine
• Radio
SAILING/BOATING SCHOOLS
WEATHER
• Australian Boating College
• www.bom.gov.au
• Yacht Master
• www.buoyweather.com
• Sea School Marine Training
• www.weatherzone.com.au
• Plus many more…
• www.marineweather.net.au
SUPPLIERS
• www.seabreeze.com.au
• Australian Boating Chandlery
WEBSITES/MAGAZINES
• Bias Boating Warehouse
• My Boating Life
• Whitworths
• Pacific Powerboat Magazine etc
• Boating Camping Fishing • Jetski Warehouse
POWERBOATS • Powerboat World ( w ww.powerboat-world.com/australia)
ONLINE TRADING
• Australian Boat Mags (www.australianboatmags.com.au)
• www.boatsonline.com.au
• Trailer Boat (www.trailerboat.com.au)
• www.boatpoint.com.au
• Go Boating (www.goboating.com.au)
• http://yachthub.com
• Marine News (www.marinews.com/tbf.php)
• www.australiaboats.com.au
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REFERENCES
Surf Life Saving Australia National Coastal Safety Report 2019 The Surf Life Saving Australia National Coastal Safety Report (NCSR) is published annually and contains information on Australian community behaviours and attitudes to the coast; SLS capability and membership capacity; rescues and emergency response; and coastal drowning deaths. The 2019 NCSR represents the statistics from the period of 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019. Trend analyses from 2004-19 are also included. All care is taken to ensure the statistical information included within this report is correct. However, pending the outcome of ongoing coronial investigations and as SLS state/territory entities update their operational information, this data may be amended. Surf Life Saving Australia National Coastal Safety Surveys The annual Surf Life Saving Australia National Coastal Safety Surveys collect Information about community swimming ability, behaviours and attitudes to coastal safety. The survey is conducted by Newspoll Market Research and Omnipoll and is run online over a four-day period each April among a national sample of approximately 1,400 respondents aged 16 to 69. The study is carried out in compliance with ISO 20252 - Market, Social and Opinion Research. To reflect the population distribution, results were postweighted (on age, gender, geographic strata and education) and projected to Australian Bureau of Statistics data. Ipsos Social Research Institute Boating and Watercraft Report 2016 The Ipsos Social Research Institute Boating and Watercraft Report 2016 was a result of research comprised of two distinct methodological phases: a qualitative research component, followed by a quantitative research component. Both phases covered similar topic areas: boating attitudes and behaviours, risk perceptions and safety
strategies, rip current identification and safety, information needs and sources, lifejacket use and legislation, and other interventions. The quantitative research phase was carried out in February 2016. This component comprised a national online survey of n=983 male and female boaters, aged 18 years or more who had been boating in the last 12 months. This was followed by comprehensive analysis of the data. Given the geographic spread of the Australian coastline, Ipsos SRI used a representative sample of Australian boaters, involving the application of non-interlocking quotas according to the following demographic characteristics: gender, age, state, and area. Weighting was then applied to the sample to ensure the representativeness of the data was maintained.
For enquiries concerning reproduction, contact SLSA on: phone 02 9215 8000; email: info@slsa.asn.au Every attempt has been made to trace and acknowledge copyright, but in some cases this may not have been possible. Surf Life Saving Australia apologises for any accidental infringements and would welcome any information to redress the situation. Acknowledgements Surf Life Saving Australia wishes to thank Frederic Anne (Omnipoll) for their contribution to this report.
Data illustrated in figures may not always add up to 100% due to rounding. References Ipsos Social Research Institute (2016) Boating and Watercraft Report 2016 . Ipsos: Sydney Surf Life Saving Australia (2019) National Coastal Safety Report 2019. SLSA: Sydney. Surf Life Saving Australia National Coastal Safety Survey (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019). Newspoll/Omnipoll Online Omnibus April 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019.
Suggested Citation Cooney, N., Lawes, J., Daw, S. (2019) Coastal Safety Brief: Boating. Surf Life Saving Australia: Sydney.
Data correct at 31 January 2020. Changes may occur at a later date. Š 2020 Surf Life Saving Australia This publication is copyright. Except as expressly provided in the Copyright Act 1968 and the Copyright Amendment Act 2006, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval systems or transmitted by any means (including electronic, mechanical, microcopying, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior permission from Surf Life Saving Australia.
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COASTAL SAFET Y BRIEF â&#x20AC;&#x201C; BOATING