New boating safety videos and guide
15 October 2016

As part of Safer Boating Week (October 14-21) the first of three new safer boating videos and a new safety guide were launched today (Saturday October 15).
The Chair of the Safer Boating Forum*, Maritime NZ Deputy Director Lindsay Sturt, said the short video “Prep your boat” explains simple, good practice that boaties can use to get their boat ready before they go on the water.

It will be followed by two more short videos “Check your gear” and “Know the rules” to be released on Monday, October 17 and Wednesday, October 19, respectively.

The new boaties’ safety guide, “Prep, Check, Know”, contains checklists from the three short videos that boaties can use, and gives more information about how to:
• Prep – service the engine, check and change the fuel, check the battery and just generally give the boat a good onceover.
• Check – make sure your lifejackets are still fit for purpose and you have enough. Service any inflatable lifejackets and ensure you have two reliable forms of communication equipment.
• Know – ensure you know the “rules of the road” on the water, and check your local bylaws to make sure you understand what the requirements are in your area.
Safer Boating Week is the week before Labour Day weekend, the traditional start of recreational boating in much of the country.

“Our aim is to encourage boaties to take simple steps and get ship-shape before getting back on the water,” Mr Sturt said.

“If you’re on the water when you discover a problem with your boat or equipment, and do not know the rules of the sea, then it’s too late and people are in danger.”
Boaties can view the “Prep your boat video on the Safer Boating NZ Facebook now, and all three videos will be shared and promoted extensively on boating organisations’ social media.

The printed guide can be ordered from the Maritime NZ websitehttp://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/subscribe/print-order.asp and downloaded fromwww.saferboating.org.nz

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