‘Thrilled’ lifejacket trade-in van visiting

Wanaka Coastguard president Jonathan Walmisley wears a Hutchwilco lifejacket, which can be bought at a heavily discounted price if an old lifejacket is traded in. Photo: Kerrie Waterworth

Boaties are being urged to take advantage of a scheme allowing them to trade in their old lifejacket for a heavily discounted new one.

Wanaka Coastguard president Jonathan Walmisley said he was "thrilled" to learn the Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade van would be coming to Otago and Southland for the first time in the four years the scheme had been running.

"There is no doubt lifejackets save lives and of the 100 or so boating deaths in the last 10 years, at least 80% of those not wearing lifejackets would have been saved had they been wearing a lifejacket," Mr Walmisley said.

"This scheme gives you an opportunity to upgrade your lifejackets from one of those old nasty things that you’ve probably got stuck away somewhere into something new at a relatively good discount," he said.

Over 4500 old lifejackets have been traded in over the past three years of the campaign.

The traded-in lifejackets that still meet New Zealand standards are shipped to at-risk communities in the Pacific Islands, ensuring local fishermen and recreational water users do not risk their lives when on the water.

Queenstown Lakes District Council harbourmaster Marty Black has endorsed the scheme, saying it was "a practical solution to a bit of a problem".

"A lot of people wear old lifejackets but the new lifejackets are so easy to wear and a vast improvement on the old ones, so it’s a great idea."

The Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade was a key part of Coastguard NZ’s advocacy for safe and enjoyable boating and funded by Maritime New Zealand and the Southern Trust, Mr Walmisley said.