The 2016-17 MAST annual report reflected a productive year for the organisation, which has included the commencement of two major projects, as well as the investment of $1.28 million in marine infrastructure through the Recreational Boating Fund. 

MAST boating safety and marine facility manager Peter Hopkins said the initiatives involving boat safety awareness was where the organisation shone the brightest.

“We can talk about infrastructure and how much we are investing all we want, but we are primarily a safety organisation,” he said.

“What we have been able to achieve in our education programs since 2001, when lifejackets became cumpulsory, is a steady reduction in the average number of boat-related fatalities each year.

“It’s great to be involved in Department of Education’s Swimming and Water Safety program, which gives us the opportunity to work with kids from grades 3, 4 and 5.”

There has been a 50 per cent increase in the number of schools involved in the Swimming and Water Safety programs in the past year, with more than 12,000 students from around the state now benefiting from the initiative. Mr Hopkins said there were further plans to expand the program.

“We’ve developed phase two of the program, which has us going to older classrooms and talking about a host of boat-related safety issues.

“We’ve also started to look at phase three of the program.”  

MAST’S education initiatives have not just been restricted to students, with the organisation also providing information to retailers a part of its Boat Safety Partners initiative.  Staff of elected Boat Safety Partners are trained on MAST legislation and safety issues that relate to recreational and commercial boaters. Mr Hopkins said it allowed sellers to speak to customers with more “authority and knowledge” on products.