Summer brings reminders about life vest laws in Southern Jutland

As summer arrives, many people are enjoying the sun and taking to the waves on their stand-up paddle (SUP) boards. However, many venture out without life vests, which are legally required. This situation was highlighted by Jan Lambertsen, a deputy inspector from the Traffic and Dog Department at the South and Southern Jutland Police, responsible for ensuring compliance among bathers, surfers, and sailors along the southern coasts and lakes.

Lambertsen notes that it is common to see groups of three or four people, with perhaps only one wearing a life vest. He emphasizes that bathers playing close to the shore often forget to bring one. Gudrun Gotved, a lifeguard at Jels Søbad in Southern Jutland, regularly sees guests setting out on their SUP boards without a life vest. Many are surprised to learn that it is a legal requirement when he informs them.

The law mandates that individuals must have a life or swim vest on board their SUP, irrespective of how far they are from shore. Police can issue fines of 1,500 kroner per person for non-compliance. With the arrival of a new patrol boat, local police are more active on the water, focusing initially on awareness rather than fines.

The Trygfonden Coastal Lifeguard Service has around 200 lifeguards at various Danish beaches during the children’s summer break. Lifeguards note that while awareness of the life vest requirement has improved, there are still many who are unaware. They stress the importance of wearing a life vest, even when just playing in shallow water, as unexpected factors, like offshore winds, can pose risks. Lifeguards will continue to educate beachgoers about safety and legal requirements for water activities.