Smooth sailing for Harbourmaster and Navy partnership
Our Harbourmaster’s Office and the Royal New Zealand Navy have joined forces in a year long trial to educate boaties about water safety.
Over the summer, teams have been patrolling key hotspots across the region. Most recently they were deployed to Kaikōura as part of the ‘No Excuses’ Maritime New Zealand and Safer Boating national safety initiative.
Trained Navy staff in their J3 Jet Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) undertook compliance patrols on approximately 60 vessels, checking if boaties had the correct life jackets and forms of communication, knew the weather and water conditions and understood their responsibilities.
Life jackets crucial for boating safety
Deputy Harbourmaster (Operations) Gordon McKay said it was heartening to see the vast majority of boaties wearing life jackets and complying with speed rules close to shore. However, a few boaties were referred for infringement for not carrying life jackets of any kind.
“Patrols such as these are important to remind boaties what they need to do to stay safe on the water,” said Gordon.
Royal NZ Navy commander Clive Holmes believes that working together gets better outcomes in not only times of patrol but in civil defence emergencies, demonstrating strong partnerships with the Harbourmaster’s Office and Coastguard New Zealand.
“Supporting this patrol in Kaikōura was an ideal opportunity to demonstrate Navy’s intent of enhancing all-of-government interoperability in Canterbury’s maritime environment,” said Clive.
The team heads out on patrol in Kaikōura
Learn more about safer boating at Maritime NZ's Safer Boating website.