The ORC’s Harbourmaster, Steve Rushbrook, said that his focus during Maritime NZ’s national ‘No Excuses’ enforcement campaign will be on people who aren’t carrying lifejackets and who are travelling at unsafe speeds in Otago waters.

The Harbourmaster will be accompanied by an officer from Maritime NZ as a part of the campaign, which involves 14 different local authorities throughout the country. Boaties failing to comply with national rules could be issued infringement fines of up to $300.

“It’s so essential that people understand the maritime rules, because a lifejacket could be the difference between life and death in any incident on the water – it’s really that simple,” Mr Rushbrook said.

Maritime NZ Acting Director Harry Hawthorn said he hoped that Maritime NZ’s “Safer Boating Code” would “become second nature to every single boatie when they prepare to head out on the water.”

The Safer Boating Code reminds people to

• Wear a lifejacket
• Take two waterproof ways to call for help
• Check the marine weather forecast
• Avoid alcohol, and
• Be a responsible skipper.

Useful links for boaties

• Maritime NZ Safety Campaigns – www.saferboating.org.nz
• VHF radio – www.maritimenz.govt.nz/vhf
• Coastguard Boating Education – www.boatingeducation.org.nz/courses
• Lifejackets – www.maritimenz.govt.nz/lifejackets
• Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade – www.old4new.nz
• Metservice Marine Forecast - https://www.metservice.com/national/home (then visit the Marine & Surf pages for your region)

Communications contact

Emma Schranz

Senior Media Adviser

027 627 5894

media@orc.govt.nz