Harbourmasters and Maritime NZ staff will be out monitoring waterways and taking a firm approach to people breaching the rules today (Saturday October 10).

This follows the launch of Maritime NZ’s No Excuses on-water compliance campaign for summer 20/21, which aims to drive a safer boating culture.

Both the Otago Regional Council and Queenstown District Council are involved in the campaign.

No Excuses is a team effort where harbourmasters from across New Zealand join forces with Maritime NZ staff to check boaties’ compliance with the boating safety code and local bylaws, including lifejacket wearing and safe speed. 

Last year the campaign interacted with more than 4,000 boaties and this year is expected to be even bigger.

“There is no excuse for not doing what is right to keep everyone safe on the water,” Maritime NZ deputy director and Safer Boating Forum chair Sharyn Forsyth said.

Marlborough District Council harbourmaster Luke Grogan, who has been involved in the No Excuses campaign since it began five years ago, said a busy summer on the water is expected.

“Local retailers are reporting high volumes of boat and jetski sales, as well as kayaks and paddleboards and there is a general sense that everyone wants to get out on the water to relax and have some fun at the end of what has been an extremely challenging year.

“With potential for a record number of vessels on the water, we are asking all boaties to prepare fully by taking note of the safer boating rules and ensure you comply with them, so everyone gets home safely,” he said.

Sharyn said while high numbers of people follow safe boating behaviours, there is no room for complacency.

“As part of our work to ensure safer boating, we are continually looking at what we can do to improve safe behaviour through awareness and education, to avoid the need for infringements. However, there will be consequences for people breaching maritime rules and local bylaws. It’s part of the total compliance toolbox that we use.

“While all recreational water-based activity this season will need to be undertaken in line with the prevailing COVID-19 Alert Level, I encourage everyone to enjoy their time on the water while acting responsibly and safely at all times,” she said.

The No Excuses campaign is funded via a safer boating grant, administered by Maritime NZ, with funds provided by the government from Fuel Excise Duty (FED). FED funding supports No Excuses and other recreational boating safety initiatives, including regional programmes focused on promoting safer boating.

The No Excuses on-water compliance campaign is conducted on five random days in each region from October 10, 2020 until March 31, 2021.

PHOTO: Wanaka App