Safe Swimming Series: Boating Safety for Families

For many Australian families, a day on the boat is the perfect way to enjoy our beautiful lakes, rivers and coastline. Whether it’s fishing, tubing, exploring coves or simply relaxing on the water, boating can be a wonderful family tradition. But like all water-based activities, it carries real risks — especially for children and older adults.

This year’s National Drowning Report 2025 reminds us why boating safety matters. Boating accounted for 9% of all drowning deaths, with more than half of boating-related fatalities occurring in adults aged 65+, and many incidents happening far from shore or help. A safe day on the water starts with preparation, clear rules, and strong water safety habits for the whole family.

Lifejackets: The Non-Negotiable

Lifejackets (also known as Personal Flotation Devices or PFDs) are to boating what seatbelts are to driving — essential every single time.

Everyone on board, especially children, should wear a properly fitted, Coast Guard–approved lifejacket. Accidents happen quickly and unexpectedly, and a lifejacket buys crucial time and buoyancy in an emergency.

Tips for parents:

• Choose a jacket based on your child’s weight and height, not age.
• It should be snug but comfortable, with all straps secured.
• Children under 12 months should only go boating once they can safely wear an approved lifejacket.
• Let kids practise floating and swimming in their lifejackets in a pool or calm water before your trip. Familiarity builds confidence — and reduces panic if something goes wrong.

Supervision: Eyes on Kids at All Times

Whether your boat is moving, anchored or tied to a jetty, a responsible adult must be assigned as the “watcher” for children.

This person should:

• stay focused solely on supervision
• avoid distractions such as phones, fishing, reading or helping with gear
• stay close enough to intervene immediately

Most fall-related drowning deaths among children happen quickly and silently, and children aged 0–9 made up 35% of all fall-into-water drownings in 2024/25. Active supervision is your strongest defence.

Check the Weather — Then Check Again

Conditions can change rapidly on the water. Strong winds, storms and rough chop make boating dangerous for everyone, particularly children.

Before heading out:

• Check multiple weather sources
• Avoid going out if storms or strong winds are forecast
• Turn back early if conditions begin to shift

A good rule of thumb: If in doubt, don’t go out.

Family Boating Rules: Clear, Consistent and Age-Appropriate

Alongside legal requirements (speed zones, lifejacket rules, navigation markers), parents should set simple, non-negotiable family rules for kids.

Examples include:

• Staying seated while the boat is moving
• No go-zones, such as the bow, edges or near the propeller
• Not driving the boat, even “for fun”
• Safe boarding and exiting, only when the boat is secure, with an adult present, using handholds, and no jumping

Keeping rules consistent helps children feel safe and builds good lifelong habits.

Child-Proof the Boat

Just as you would at home, make sure the boat is safe and tidy for young children:

• Secure loose ropes and gear
• Install latches on doors or storage hatches
• Keep fuels, cleaning products and hooks locked away

Use baby gates on stairs or cabin entries if needed

Safety Equipment: Show Kids Where It Is

Make sure your boat carries:

• A lifejacket for every person
• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Throwable flotation device
• Flares, whistle/horn, signalling equipment
• An EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)

Older children can help check equipment before each outing. Involving them helps build awareness, responsibility and confidence.

Teach Essential Water Safety and Emergency Skills

Before heading out, practise basic skills in calm water, including:

• Floating on back
• Signalling for help
• Moving toward a floating object
• Safe entry into the water from a boat

Talk through how to respond if someone falls overboard, or if the boat capsizes. Kids should know to stay with the boat, as it’s easier for rescuers to spot.

Teaching the HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Position) is especially important for older kids and teens — it conserves body heat in cold or remote water.

Formal swimming lessons reinforce all of these skills. At Surrey Park, every program — from our toddler classes through to adults — includes water safety, survival skills and confidence-building activities.

A Safe Day on the Water Starts With Strong Skills

With boating fatalities decreasing 31% from the 10-year average, progress is being made — but boating still remains one of the top risk activities in Australia. Building strong swimmers and water-aware families is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk.

Call to Action

If your family enjoys boating, now is the perfect time to strengthen skills and safety habits.
Explore our learn-to-swim programs, stroke development and adult classes at surreypark.org.au, and keep your family confident, safe and swim-ready every time you head out on the water.