This year’s Mandurah Boat Show was a big one for Recfishwest, with the promotion and sales of our new slimline and compact Crewsaver Crewfit lifejackets – designed for every type of fisher. Although overall show numbers were down on previous years due partly to poor weather, people’s attitudes toward fishing safety was really impressive and may be a turning point in our continued push to ensure everyone returns home safe after a days fishing.
Recfishwest Community Engagement Officer and lifejacket spokeswoman Bronte Nardi said it was great to see people putting their safety first and not buying life jackets solely as a legal requirement, but because they want to wear one at all times while on their boat, just in case they come unstuck and there was no one else around.
“We’ve been running our Fish and Survive campaign for a year now – promoting fishing safety but more importantly trying to get more people wearing lifejackets,” she said.
“We believe these new Crewsaver Crewfit lifejackets are the best on the market to keep you safe if you do happen to find yourself in the drink.
“Punters are realising that gone are the days of the old, bulky yellow foam lifejackets with fraying straps shoved under the seat of the boat. More and more fishers (particularly middle aged men who fish alone) are wanting something they can wear all day on the boat and not feel restricted while fishing.”
Recfishwest believes the Crewsaver Crewfit 165 Sport life jacket is the best item you can have on you this summer and boat show goers agreed.
Bronte said fishers were blown away by the new technology that allowed a jacket to be so compact and not inhibit your fishing experience.
“Although small in design, the jacket inflates to hold 200kg and is above the required life jacket buoyancy standard for your vessel,” Bronte said.
“People need to understand they can’t rely on cheap safety gear and if they don’t regularly check and maintain their jacket, their jacket may fail them when needed most. The Crewsaver lifejackets are designed to be worn, fitting with a changing culture where more and more people are making the choice to wear their jacket rather than store them.”
For more information on the Crewsaver lifejackets, visit Recfishwest’s Fish and Survive website. All money made from jacket sales go back into fishing safety initiatives around our great state and help us bring West Aussies home after a days fishing.
