What’s happening?
From Monday, 1 July 2025, Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) will begin enforcing updated lifejacket regulations that apply to all recreational boaters. Although these laws have been in effect since 1 December 2024, the next phase signals a shift from public education to active enforcement.
The revised rules apply during specific high-risk scenarios, like boating solo, with children, or in open boats at night and aim to reduce preventable fatalities on Queensland waters.
Why it matters
“This is about protecting lives, not handing out fines,” an MSQ spokesperson said.
Queensland is home to over 1 million licensed recreational boaters, making safety on the water a statewide concern. The upcoming crackdown is a direct response to sobering statistics: 64 people drowned in boating incidents between 2019 and 2023, and just five of those victims were wearing lifejackets.
Local Impact: Redlands on the Radar
Whether you’re launching from Redland Bay, Victoria Point, Cleveland, or Raby Bay, local boaties will be under watch. MSQ officers will be patrolling popular ramps and waterways across Redland City, especially during the upcoming winter school holidays, when boat traffic traditionally spikes.
Under the new rules, lifejackets must be worn:
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When boating alone or with only children under 12 in open boats under 4.8 metres
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At night (sunset to sunrise) in open boats under 4.8 metres
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While crossing designated coastal bars or sitting in an open area on any moving vessel
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By children aged 1–11 in open boats or open areas
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When using small vessels such as kayaks, rafts, pedal boats, small sailboats, or rowboats
(Note: Surf Life Saving surfboats are excluded.)
Non-compliance attracts a $333 fine, and officers will apply “zero-tolerance” policies in serious breaches.
By the Numbers
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64 boating-related drownings in Queensland from 2019 to 2023, Only 5 of those victims were wearing a lifejacket
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$333 fine now applies for failing to wear one where required
Zoom In
These rules aren’t just for “big boats” or deep-sea excursions. If you’re in a tinny, kayak, or SUP, and boating solo or at dusk, these rules apply to you. The new legislation emphasises common scenarios in Redlands waters, think Moreton Bay’s coastal inlets, family fishing outings, or sunset paddles.
Zoom Out
Since the law took effect in December 2024, MSQ has taken a soft approach, focusing on educating the public through signage, leaflets, and community engagement. But now, that grace period ends.
Winter brings higher winds and lower water temperatures, conditions in which survival time in the water drastically drops. This seasonal risk further motivates the timing of enforcement.
What to look for next?
Boaters in Redlands are encouraged to:
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Double-check their vessel category and what rules apply
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Update their lifejacket stock to meet current standards
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Visit the MSQ website for diagrams, vessel-specific FAQs, and bar crossing safety advice
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Expect patrols during the July school break, especially at high-traffic spots like the Raby Bay Foreshore and Weinam Creek
A little preparation now could save a life or a fine.
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