A Maritime crackdown is underway across the mid north coast, with Maritime officers educating – and checking compliance, ahead of the busy Easter weekend.

Looking after your lifejacket:

Lifejackets need care and maintenance. Inflatable models must be serviced regularly to ensure they work when needed. Here’s what you need to know.

Cleaning and storing lifejackets:

Lifejackets are exposed to heat, sun and salt, which means they damage easily.

Look after your lifejackets by:

* Rinsing off salt with fresh water and checking for damage after use

* Storing lifejackets in a dry, well-ventilated area out of sunlight

* Not using your lifejackets as cushions or fenders (bumpers)

* Keeping lifejackets away from oil and fuel

* Removing new lifejackets from their plastic wrapping before storing.

Checking and cleaning inflatable lifejackets:

Inflatable lifejackets need extra care. An inflatable lifejacket can only help you if it's in working order.

If it's not, you or one of your passengers could drown. Check your lifejacket before wearing and service it regularly.

Check before wearing:

First, check there are no visible signs of general wear and tear. Next, check that the CO2 cylinder is not pierced and is screwed in firmly (hand tight).

If you have an auto-inflating lifejacket, check the auto-inflation cartridge is hand tight and that it's still in date. Cartridges must be replaced by the expiry date shown.

Finally, check the pull cord is free and ready to use.

Servicing inflatable lifejackets:

A regular service makes sure the bladder, inflation mechanism and CO2 cylinder are in good working order. In NSW, you must service inflatable lifejackets once a year, or in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

If you cannot remember when your lifejacket was last serviced, we recommend you get it serviced straight away. Keep receipts and certificates as evidence of servicing. You must also keep a record of the date your lifejacket was serviced on the inside of your lifejacket.

You must show the service record on the inside of your lifejacket if asked by a Transport for NSW (Maritime) authorised officer or police.

How to self-service inflatable lifejackets (See video above):

Sometimes, you can self-service a lifejacket by following the manufacturer's instructions. The instructions are either supplied with the new lifejacket, printed on the lifejacket itself, or available on the manufacturer's website.

Transport for NSW (Maritime) also runs inflatable lifejacket self-service clinics.

More Info At | nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/waterways-safety-and-rules/safety-education

Video #1 By | Britt Ramsey