The maritime industry has published new guidelines in an attempt to stop people using potentially unsafe lifejackets.
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It follows concerns about unserviced lifejackets and unclear safety information given to boaties.
The guidelines, created by an industry group set up by Maritime New Zealand, include what lifejackets to use and how to service them. The instructions will be put on packaging, tags and displayed at industry sites.
Maritime New Zealand deputy director Lindsay Sturt said the advice targeted inflatable lifejackets, which use a gas cannister that can become faulty.
"This is just about getting people to understand that they have to check these lifejackets before they go out on the water."
He said it would tell boaties how to check the jackets for safety.
"It's just trying to make sure that we don't get to a failure rate with these."
Mr Sturt said the advice should ensure boaties have usable lifejackets, and will help to save lives.