Council is reviewing its Navigation Safety Bylaw through public consultation, which opens on Monday, 14 July.

The Navigation Safety Bylaw is one method used to regulate shipping, water activities and navigation safety in the coastal and marine environment, Harbourmaster Captain Jake Oliver said.

“When the current bylaw was made in 2023, it was signalled at the time that further work needed to be done to ensure safety for all users in the region,” he said.

Navigation bylaws are used around the country as an effective means of addressing issues with boats and ships, and the review includes changes aimed at encouraging safe boating behaviour and improving safety on the water.

“One of the main changes is extending the bylaw limits to include all waters of the region to the mid-point of Cook Strait, 12 nautical miles, plus navigable rivers,” he said. “We’re also looking to bring in responsibilities for masters on boats to make it clearer, and updating lifejacket rules.”

Marlborough was an outlier in not requiring people on boats under six metres to wear a lifejacket and changes were needed to provide consistency. For example, Tasman and Canterbury both require people on boats under six metres to wear a lifejacket.

Other key changes included more clarity around masters of vessels, vessel communications, vessel identification and automatic identification systems, common passage plans and commercial shipping operations, control of vessels anchoring in Cloudy Bay and Port Underwood, lifeboat and safety boat drills on specified vessels, and swimming and water-skiing areas.

“The perceived problem is that without appropriate regulatory systems to ensure the safety of users of its water space, Council will not have sufficient means to intervene and manage maritime risks that it is obliged under the law to do so,” Captain Oliver said.

“Amending the bylaw now is to ensure that Marlborough’s navigation safety rules are up to date and fit for purpose.”

The deadline for submissions is 5pm on 15 August. Those wanting to speak to their submission will be able to do so. To make a submission go to: https://links.marlborough.govt.nz/haveyoursay

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