Following requests from the Kaikoura community, Maritime NZ and the Canterbury Harbourmaster are holding a maritime information evening this Tuesday.
Maritime NZ Maritime Officer Steve Hainstock says the session was prompted by a local commercial fisherman who said it would be useful for boaties and crew to see a liferaft up close and handle flares in real life.
"It's timely with the busy summer season coming up. The evening is for Kaikoura recreational boaties as much as the commercial sector. Everyone will get something from the night!"
Steve said he will talk about Maritime NZ rule requirements and Environment Canterbury Harbourmaster Gary Manch will explain local bylaws. Murray Green from Kaikoura Marine will take the audience through small craft maintenance and Ministry of Primary Industries staff will attend.
"It's a chance to get your burning questions answered and to hear safety advice from the horse's mouth," Hainstock said.
The night will conclude with an interactive demonstration of flares, liferafts and inflatable lifejackets where the audience will be invited to get 'hands on'.
This is the first time a session of this type has been held in Kaikoura, with previous information evenings held in Haast, Invercargill, Stewart Island among other locations.
Those wanting to attend should head to the Kaikoura Fire Station, 42 The Esplanade, Kaikoura, 7300 this Tuesday, 17 December, 2019 from 7.30 pm.
Kaikoura boaties take note - Environment Canterbury bylaws
Being seen, and heard, is crucial when you're out on the water. Here are some key bylaws to remember:
- Lifejackets must be worn AT ALL TIMES on craft six metres or less in length except when the craft is tied up or at anchor
- ALL CRAFT must carry lifejackets of an appropriate size for every person on board
- Everybody must wear their lifejackets if there are circumstances which cause danger or risk to the safety of people aboard.
- All boats in Canterbury - including jet skis - need an identifying number or name on each side of the hull.
- Recommended communications - all recreational boaties should carry two waterproof forms of communication when they're on the water that are appropriate for the area they are in - VHF radios.
Read the full bylaws on ECan's website: https://www.ecan.govt.nz/do-it-online/harbourmasters-office/recreational-boating/
