In the Devonport Magistrates Court yesterday, Christopher Acheson of Port Sorell was found guilty of failing to wear a lifejacket whilst operating his boat on Lake Sorell in November 2022.

After a hearing where officers from the Inland Fisheries Service and Marine & Safety Tasmania gave evidence, along with Mr Acheson, His Honour Magistrate Hughes convicted Mr Acheson and fined him $300, as well as $74 in court costs. The original infringement fine for the offence was $181 at the time and Mr Acheson did not have any history of offending against boating rules.

The prosecutor for the case, Ms Alice Bassett, submitted this was a case which needed a penalty that sent a message to others considering not complying with the rules governing life jacket use, as there were two events at inland waters during 2022 where people died as a result of not wearing them.

The Inland Fisheries Service reminds the boating community mandatory safety equipment is required when boating on waterways in Tasmania. The registered operator must ensure the equipment is carried, properly stored, kept ready for immediate use and maintained in good order. Life jackets must also be worn on lightweight craft at all times and vessels under 6 meters when under power on inland waters. 

For more information on boating safety in Tasmania, please visit the MAST website.

If you witness any unsafe boating, illegal fishing, or anything suspicious at our inland waters please let us know. You can call 0438 338 530 or 1300 INFISH (1300 463 474). You can also email us with the details and any photos at infish@ifs.tas.gov.au