Boaties urged to stay safe on the water

A "No Excuses" campaign was launched over the weekend by Greater Wellington Regional Council, in conjunction with Maritime NZ and Maritime Police, to promote safe boating this summer.

Greater Wellington Harbourmaster Grant Nalder says the campaign targets some basic boating rules including carrying and wearing lifejackets, and safe speed.

This was the first of five random days throughout the warmer months where harbourmasters across the country will be monitoring their local waters.

"We had over 50 interactions over the weekend, most of which were positive. However, we are following up with 10 boaties with either a warning or an infringement."

Patrols were carried out along the west coast around the Paremata channel, Mana Island, Pauatahanui inlet, and between Pukerua Bay and Whitireia Park as well as the south coast of Wellington.

Grant says the main issues are people going too fast, not wearing their life jackets or paddle craft without a means of communication & making it difficult for them to raise the alarm if they get into trouble.

"This is disappointing because messaging around the importance of wearing life jackets has been consistent for a long time. Wearing a life jacket is an absolute basic for staying safe on the water.

"Speeding in busy areas is dangerous and can injure children, swimmers, divers and people in small crafts. There are no excuses for acting irresponsibly out on the water."

Grant says councils will be taking action against boaties who break lifejacket and speed rules, including infringement notices of up to $200.