Get prepared before you hit the water

1 October 2015

With the arrival of daylight savings and the feel of spring in the air, the region’s boaties are reminded to keep safe on the water as they take advantage of improved weather and longer days.

Bay of Plenty’s Regional Harbour Master Peter Buell says now is the perfect time for people to check their boats and equipment and refamiliarise themselves with the local navigation safety bylaw in preparation for summer.

“If your boat and safety gear has been in hibernation over winter, please give it all a thorough check before heading out on the water,” Mr Buell said. “Too often we see instances where safety equipment, such as flares or lifejackets have expired or deteriorated after being in storage. We want people to replace any old equipment before they leave the shore, and not get into trouble because they need to use it and it isn’t up to scratch.”

He said it’s also the perfect time for people to remind themselves of the region’s Navigation Safety Bylaw.

“This includes knowing where any exclusion zones are – such as the two nautical mile exclusion zone around Astrolabe Reef (Otaiti) where the area of sea is closed to vessels while work continues to take place around the Rena wreck.

“If anyone is unsure of what the rules are or where the areas are that they should be avoiding, give us a call or download the maps from our website atwww.boprc.govt.nz,” he said.

Key pointers for boaties include:

• Stay safe, follow the five knot rule

• You must carry a correctly fitting lifejacket for everyone on board

• Out at night, show a light

• Carry two separate forms of waterproof communication so you can make contact if you get into difficulty

ENDS

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