新西兰副交通部长 James Meager 表示，新的救生衣法规将有助于挽救生命，并减少今年夏季新西兰水域中本可避免的伤亡事故。

Meager欢迎国会议员、前卫生部长 Shane Reti博士 提出的《海事运输法（休闲船只救生衣）修正案》获得国会通过。

根据新法规，所有正在航行、长度不超过6米的休闲船只上的人员，都必须穿着尺寸合适、正确佩戴的救生衣。

Meager表示，2025年新西兰水域发生的休闲船只事故造成17人死亡，其中有12人被发现没有穿救生衣。

他说：“这些都是令人悲痛、而且本可以避免的死亡事故。这项法律建立了一项明确、简单、全国统一的规定，让所有人都遵守。这是一项符合常识、同时也早就应该实施的改变。”

Meager强调，救生衣能够挽救生命，确保人们在水上活动时穿着救生衣，对于减少新西兰溺水死亡事故至关重要。

新法规将在该法案获得皇家批准（Royal Assent）28天后正式生效，这意味着新的规定将在即将到来的夏季水上活动高峰期实施。

新西兰海事局（Maritime NZ）正在与相关行业和机构合作制定实施计划，确保公众能够获得清晰、实用并且全国统一的信息，了解新法规对自己、家人以及水上活动意味着什么。

Meager提醒所有今年夏天准备乘船出海的人：

穿戴尺寸合适的救生衣；携带两种可靠的通讯方式；并提前查看天气预报。

这项法案的推动历时多年。它最早于2013年进入议会候选法案抽签名单，去年以国会议员 Cameron Brewer 的名义被抽中进入立法程序。

Meager感谢Cameron Brewer以及推动法案通过的Shane Reti博士，同时感谢安全划船社区以及所有提交意见的人士。他表示，正是他们的经验和努力帮助完善了这项重要改革。

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New lifejacket legislation to save lives

New lifejacket legislation will save lives and reduce preventable harm on New Zealand waters this summer, Associate Transport Minister James Meager says.

Mr Meager is welcoming today’s passing of Hon Dr Shane Reti’s Maritime Transport (Lifejackets on Recreational Craft) Amendment Bill, which will require everyone on recreational craft of six metres or less to wear a properly fitted lifejacket, when underway.

“In 2025, 17 people died in recreational craft incidents on our waters. Sadly, 12 of those people were found not to be wearing a lifejacket,” Mr Meager says.

“These are tragic and preventable deaths. This legislation creates one clear, simple national rule for everyone to follow, which is a common-sense and long overdue change.

“Lifejackets save lives, and making sure boaties wear one while out on the water is essential if we want to reduce the number drownings in New Zealand.

“The changes will come into effect 28 days after the Bill receives Royal Assent, meaning the new rule will be in place for the peak summer season.

“Maritime NZ is leading coordinated implementation planning alongside sector partners, so people receive clear, practical and nationally consistent information about what the change means for them, their families and their time on the water.

“The message for anyone heading out on a boat this summer remains simple: wear a properly fitted lifejacket, carry two reliable forms of communication and check the weather forecast.

“This Bill has had a long history, first appearing on the Ballot in 2013 before being drawn in the name of Hon Cameron Brewer last year. 

“I thank Hon Brewer, and Hon Dr Shane Reti who sponsored it through to today, as well as the safer boating communities and all submitters whose experience and commitment have helped shape this important change.”