Be Safe, Have Fun in the Water

As the weather warms up toward summer, water users are being reminded how to use our rivers, port and sea safely.

“There are maritime rules as well as general safety guidelines that everyone should be aware of, whether they are swimmers, boaties, waterskiers or kayakers,” says Port Taranaki Harbour Master, Captain Ray Barlow.

“The most important things for all water users to remember are to stay safe in the water by being aware of what other people, boats and the like are doing, be considerate to other users, and to know the rules.”

The Taranaki Regional Council has jurisdiction over Port Taranaki and its approaches, including the area off Ngamotu Beach. New Plymouth District Council has jurisdiction over the Waitara River including the boat ramp.

“Signs are in place in both the port areas and around Waitara River so people can remind themselves of the rules that each location has,” says NPDC Manager Parks Programmes Steve McGill.

The regional council reviewed the port’s navigation and safety bylaws this year. The bylaws include speed restrictions in areas popular with swimmers. The speed zones are clearly set out on signpost maps at the boat ramp and on the beach at Ngamotu.

When in the water off Ngamotu Beach and around the port, keep in mind:

• There is a safe area for swimmers and other recreational users off Ngamotu Beach. This zone, clearly marked on the signs in the area, has a 5 knot speed limit for all small craft.
• Further out from the beach but still within the breakwaters, there is an area reserved for power boats, jetskis, waterskiing and similar activities. There is no speed limit.
• There is a waterski access lane off Ngamotu Beach. Boats towing waterskiers can travel faster than 5 knots, but other small craft not towing waterskiers, including jetskis, are restricted to 5 knots.
• Always be aware of big ships moving or manoeuvring within harbour limits, and keep clear of them. Don’t get closer than 300m from the front and 50m from the sides and rear of the moving ship.
• When swimming, playing or diving into the water, avoid dangerous behaviour that may, for example, hinder navigation.
• Always follow the advice and instructions of harbourmasters and harbour wardens.
• Small craft and swimmers must keep out of the commercial port area – the boundary of this exclusion zone is indicated on signs at the boat ramp and on Ngamotu Beach.
• Maritime NZ regulations apply in the port area as everywhere else, so know the rules regarding speed, lifejackets, collision avoidance and waterskiing.
• Always be aware of what’s going on around you on the water, and check that you have the right safety equipment.
• Remember that small craft (such as kayaks) and swimmers may be difficult to see in swells.

At Waitara River the trial speed limits on the river’s lower reaches are now being put in place permanently. Users of Waitara River should remember the following:

 

• There is a five knots maximum speed limit on all craft in the section of river between the river mouth and 100m upstream from the town’s bridge. (Five knots is a fast walking pace.)
• The area of river from 100m upstream from the town’s bridge to Makino Stream is available for jetskiers, waterskiers and wake boarders.
• There is no jumping or swimming off the floating pontoon at the boat ramp, due to the danger for swimmers around manoeuvring boats.

“All water users need to be aware of other water users around them, be they boats or swimmers, especially when there is a swell that can hide swimmers or low-lying craft such as kayaks,” says Mr McGill.

“Parents must also be close enough to children to stop them from dangerous activity – such as jumping from the floating pontoon or swimming across the river mouth in the path of an approaching boat – and to help them immediately if they get into difficulty.

“Drowning is the third-highest cause of accidental death in New Zealand, and more people drown in rivers than in any other water environment.”

In addition, Maritime New Zealand reminds everyone that life jackets and communications such as EPIRBS, VHF radio, flares and cellphones are recommended for all boating activities.

“Both TRC and NPDC want people to enjoy the water safely this summer,” says Mr McGill.

Navigation and Safety Bylaws for Port Taranaki and its approaches.

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