The Otago Regional Council coastal team works to keep Otago Regional Council harbours and waterways safe for everyone to enjoy.

At ORC we:

• oversee maritime safety
• work with water users and other stakeholders on matters regarding the harbour and waterways
• ensure navigation aids, lights and beacons are in place and maintained
• remove hazards, such as trees and abandoned vessels
• maintain safe boating signage at your local boat ramps
• respond to marine oil spill events
• issue licences for moorings
• review the application to hold a special on-water event
• promote safe boating
• keep local and visiting boaties informed of changes to local rules and regulations
• work with Port Otago to ensure commercial shipping and related activities in otago harbour remains safe
• issue harbourmaster instructions from time to time.

We cover the Otago region, apart from Queenstown Lake District and Lake Dunstan, both of which have their own harbourmasters appointed by the district councils.