Media release
9 January 2013

Stay Safe This Boating Season

With summer now in full swing, so too is boating season and hundreds of Aucklanders are enjoying time out on the harbour.

Auckland’s Harbourmaster Andrew Hayton is encouraging boaties to remember the essentials for a safe day on the water.

“Aucklanders love nothing more than a day out on the water,” says Andrew. “We want to make sure that they stay safe while out and about enjoying our magnificent harbours.”

The Harbourmaster has prepared a number of steps boaties can take to help ensure their trip is safe and successful:

• Make sure that your vessel is capable of completing the intended trip
• Ensure everyone has a correctly fitted lifejacket
• Check the marine weather forecast before and during your trip
• Don’t overload your vessel
• Carry at least two means of communicating distress with you
• Tell a responsible person ashore where you are going, how many people you have on board, your boat details and when you expect to return
• Avoid alcohol or limit your intake – it impairs your judgment and ability to survive in an emergency
• Don’t exceed 5 knots within 200m of the shore or within 50m of another vessel or person in the water

“The harbours are definitely a focal point for people over summer. From day trips and early morning fishing expeditions to overnight breaks away, we want people to stay safe while enjoying their time on the water.”

Auckland’s stunning waterways are a highlight feature of the region and this summer play host to a number of events able to be enjoyed either from on the water or on-shore.

Upcoming events on Auckland’s harbours include:

• Auckland Anniversary Regatta on 28 January 2013
• 150th anniversary of the sinking of the Orpheus on the Manukau Bar on 7 February 2013

For more information on boating etiquette, rules and safety, visit www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/harbourmaster.

ENDS

© Scoop Media