Chance to upgrade life jackets with Coastguard’s Old4New initiative

 

Following five successful years, Coastguard’s Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade will once again be motivating kiwis to check and upgrade their most important piece of boating safety equipment.

From November 30 to February 2 boaties will have the opportunity to bring their old, damaged or ill-fitting lifejackets to one of 63 Old4New van locations and upgrade them for brand new, heavily discounted Hutchwilco models. Since its introduction, Old4New has greatly assisted Coastguard in itsmission of ‘Saving Lives at Sea.’

Over 13,500 old lifejackets have been upgraded through the initiative, meaning thousands of Kiwis are now safer on the water. This is a number, is keen to increase over the 2019- 2020 summer season. “We continue to see lifejackets in all shapes and sizes, some even 50 years old, and what a lot of them have in common is that in an emergency they won’t keep you safe,” says Old4New community ambassador, Sue Tucker.

“We need to be out in the community reminding Kiwis that lifejackets don’t last a lifetime.” Over time, exposure to the elements and general wear and tear heavily affects the ability of a lifejacket to keep you afloat. “Lifejackets, including inflatable versions, need to be checked each year to make sure they are in a good condition.

If you know your lifejacket is no good, or if you just want some peace of mind, bring it to the Old4New van to get it checked.” If you can’t make it t o one of the Old4New van locations, retailer Boating and Outdoors will once 
again be offering the Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade instore at select locations around the country. The Old4New Lifejacket

Upgrade would not be possible without the generous support from key sponsors, Maritime New Zealand, Hutchwilco, Giltrap Volkswagen and Boating and Outdoors. n Locals can find the Old4new van at Marsden Boat Ramp, Ruakaka (Sat Dec 7, 8am-1pm); Mangawhai Boating & Fishing Club (Sat Dec 14, 3pm-6pm); Snells Beach Boat Ramp (Sun Dec 15, 8am-11am).