Rock lobster pot owners and recreational boaties are being urged to prepare for boat safety ahead of the season opening on Sunday.
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MAST general manager recreational boating Peter Hopkins said all boat owners should be checking their inflatable life jackets.
"If you own an inflatable life jacket, you have the responsibility to make sure it's been serviced," he said.
"Will your life jacket work if something goes wrong on the water this weekend?
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"You can self-check your inflatable life jacket. Is the cylinder screwed in properly? If it doesn't work properly, it's not a life jacket, it's just a jacket.
"Is your safety gear within reach? Have you checked the weather? Have you told someone where you are going?"
The Rock Lobster Fishery Season opens on Sunday, November 1, outside of the East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone, which extends from Eddystone Point to the southern end of Bruny Island.
Mr Hopkins said too often when MAST conducted boat ramp checks, safety gear stowed away in almost inaccessible places.
"It's no use having your gear up forward or in a locker under cushions - it needs to be close at hand - preferably within your cockpit," he said.
"You can easily see what the weather is doing, there are many apps available on your phone - not just what the weather is doing when you leave the dock, but in the hours you are actually out on the water.
"Whenever you go boating, tell someone where you and going and when you plan to be back. If you don't and something goes wrong out on the water, authorities may have no way of finding you."
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