Napier: Free Boat Safety Check on Sunday

Coastguard Hawke’s Bay will be offering free boat safety checks in Napier this Sunday 19 October.

The checks are a Boat Safety Week event. Boat Safety Week runs 17-27 October and is organised by the National Pleasure Boat Safety Forum with Maritime NZ.

Boaties can bring their boats to Coastguard HQ at 704 Meeanee Quay at Napier’s Inner Harbour between 10 am and 2 pm on Sunday for the free safety check.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Harbourmaster Phil Norman says it’s a good time for boaties to be thinking about maintenance and safety aspects ahead of the long weekend when they may want to get their boats out.

“The Coastguard has a vital role in helping boaties when something goes wrong, so let’s help them have fewer emergencies by checking boats and lifejackets before you get out on the water for summer,” he said.

Phil Norman says Boat Safety Week has three key messages –

• Prep your boat – prepare your boat and make sure it’s safe

• Check your gear – check you have the right safety equipment and it’s working

• Know the rules – and know what to do if something goes wrong.

There are other safety measures particular to Hawke’s Bay.

The Harbourmaster says that everyone must wear a fitting lifejacket when out on a paddlecraft, such as a kayak or paddleboard, or in a boat 6 metres or less. Larger boats should carry enough personal flotation devices for everyone on board.

Boaties can also call Coastguard Hawke’s Bay on VHF channel 82 to let them know they are going out and when they return as an additional safety measure.

The Navigation Safety Bylaws for Hawke’s Bay are available on HBRC’s website www.hbrc.govt.nz and boaties can also contact HBRC or the Harbourmaster’s office for a copy.

ENDS

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