Everyone on board a recreational boat six metres or less in length must wear a properly fitted lifejacket from today as new rules take effect.
The changes are expected to save 12 lives a year, with Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Glen Scanlon calling it a "seatbelt moment" for lifejackets.
So what do boaties need to know? And what kind of lifejackets should be worn?
Scanlon told Breakfast that lifejackets should be accredited. Accredited jackets could be found at all marine shops, and include details about what they do and their buoyancy level.
Boat and fishing clubs also had "really great advice about what you should use for the different type of activity you're undertaking".
Scanlon said both foam and inflatable lifejackets were effective, explaining that now was a great time to check their condition.
"The change in the law is effectively moving from you have to carry them on your boat to you having to wear them. So a lot of people out there are already set up. All they need to do is that check."
He said lifejackets should fit "snug as a hug".
"With a life jacket, you shouldn't really be able to get more than two fingers up into the shoulder, so then you know it's a good fit," Scanlon said.
He said it was a great idea to get a lifejacket with a crotch strap to stop you slipping in the water. They are also required on all children's lifejackets.
For any vessel 6m long or less, wearing a well fitted lifejacket is mandatory if the recreational craft is "underway".
This means a vessel that is not at anchor, made fast to the shore, or aground.
The requirement applies to recreational craft including motorboats, dinghies, sailboats, kayaks, paddleboards and jet skis, subject to existing exceptions.
There is an exemption from wearing a lifejacket for surfers, sports events and stand-up paddle board (SUP) surfing.
Existing requirements to carry enough correctly sized lifejackets, wear them at times of heightened risk and meet skipper safety responsibilities also continue.
Scanlon hoped the law change would change people's behaviour, even while out on bigger boats.
"More than 100 people have died in the last 20/25 years in New Zealand on bigger vessels while they're underway because they've fallen into the water without a life jacket on.
"So we would always encourage people, doesn't matter what size of the craft, to wear a life jacket."
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