AMSA calls on owners, operators to assess overboard risks

No excuse is ever good enough for those left behind

Lifejackets save lives, it’s a simple message that the Australian Maritime Safety Authority is urging commercial vessel owners to act on. In 2023 alone, three people working on commercial vessels died in Australian waters after falling overboard without a lifejacket.  

“For families left behind, there is no excuse that is ever good enough for the preventable death of their loved ones in the line of work,” AMSA’s Acting National Operations Manager – Regions David Marsh said. 

“Owners and operators of commercial vessels know the risks of going overboard better than anyone. That’s why it’s a legal requirement to include overboard situations in a vessel’s risk assessment, and have procedures in place which specify when, where and in what circumstances lifejackets need to be worn by crew and passengers.” 

Having spent the early years of his career winching down from search and rescue helicopters into the ocean to retrieve the bodies of the drowned, Mr Marsh knows all too well what the difference in outcome can be if people are wearing lifejackets before they have gone overboard. 

Like many search and rescue professionals and former maritime industry workers who now work towards AMSA’s vision of safe and clean seas, and saving lives, Mr Marsh said he has heard all the excuses over the years for not wearing a lifejacket. 

“The most common excuse is that lifejackets are bulky and restrict movement. There are actually many types of lifejackets on the market including slimline options that have been designed specifically for free movement,” Mr Marsh said. 

“Everyone has the right to come home safely at the end of the day. And when the stakes are so high, there is simply no excuse that will ever be good enough for preventable loss of life.” 

Guidance for risk-assessing overboard situations is available. Get on board with lifejacket safety: Wear it. For them.