Thousands of boaties are sporting much safer lifejackets thanks to a Coastguard water safety campaign.

The annual Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade campaign wrapped up recently which saw 3,462 old, damaged or obsolete lifejackets traded in over the peak summer holiday period for discounted modern fit-for-purpose Hutchwilco lifejackets. Almost 500 more lifejackets were traded in this summer compared to last year’s campaign.

The campaign van was on the road for nine weeks and stopped at 61 different locations around the country. Families brought old lifejackets to the van and purchased new lifejackets at discounted prices. As well as selling lifejackets, the Old4New crew distributed 1,603 safety items, such as crotch straps, which prevents a lifejacket from slipping up over your head when in water.

Old4New spokesperson, Sue Tucker, says the van’s become a hub for people wanting to find out more about water safety.

“It attracts a lot of attention and excitement, which is great to see. We feel people are starting to realise the importance of wearing a lifejacket. It greatly increases your chances of survival if you do end up in the water.”

Many of the lifejackets handed in were unusable and downright dangerous, and every year there is always one that should be in a museum. This year it was an oilskin lifejacket surrendered in Greymouth – approximately 75 years old. It may have been used during WWII.

Coastguard New Zealand CEO Patrick Holmes says the campaign’s grown in popularity since starting five years ago and believes the younger generation can influence behaviour change when it comes to lifejackets.

“Often you see all the young people on a boat wearing lifejackets but not the parents. But everyone on board needs to wear one and kids often pester older family members to put one on. A lifejacket never ruins a day on the water.”

Since the campaign started five years ago, over 10,000 old lifejackets have been traded in and taken out of circulation. The campaign is made possible thanks to generous funding from Maritime New Zealand and support from Hutchwilco, the Giltrap Group, Boating & Outdoors, The Southern Trust and The Four Winds Foundation. Retailer Boating & Outdoors offered the trade-ins at their stores nationwide further supporting the campaign.