The WA Department of Transport - Marine Safety has released a new page on its website focusing on “Safety Lanyards”.

Take a look at the page here.

The page has been developed to promote the increased wear of the safety feature due to a number of incidents in WA that may have been avoided with the use of a safety lanyard which automatically stops a vessel’s motor if the skipper falls overboard or leaves the steering position.

A safety lanyard, also known as a kill switch, has a quick-release fitting at one end attached to the vessel motor or console and at the other end is a clip attached to the skipper.

The coiled design allows the driver the natural movement required when driving a boat. Sudden movement away from the driving position means the lanyard will detach and the engine will stop.

When attaching the clip to the skipper special care needs to be taken to ensure it stays attached.

Marine Safety recommends you loop the lanyard around your wrist, leg or ankle and attach the clip to secure it. If the clip is attached to clothing it could fall off.