Auckland joins “No Excuses” campaign for no lifejackets and speed

22 December 2017

Auckland Harbourmaster staff have had an already busy start to summer monitoring recreational boating and compliance on the water, and are now enjoying the opportunity to work with Maritime NZ on the “No Excuses” campaign.

Recreational boaties in Auckland face infringement notices of $200 if they break lifejacket and speed rules.

Maritime NZ Director, Keith Manch, said Harbourmaster staff and Maritime NZ Maritime Officers will be working together on Auckland harbours this weekend, and over the holidays.

“I’m delighted to have Auckland Transport joining the campaign, as well as continuing all the great safer boating work they are already doing,” Mr Manch said.

“There are more boaties in Auckland than anywhere else in New Zealand – 37 percent according to our latest statistics. It is important to reinforce safer boating messages to this biggest group.”

Auckland Harbourmaster’s Office Operations Leader, Marc Davis, said working together with Maritime NZ on a campaign that also involves other harbourmasters sends a strong message: “no lifejackets and unsafe speed are dangerous – they are two of the biggest risks contributing towards death and injury.

“We are helping reinforce that message in Auckland.

“A bigger team with everyone working together is better than lots of small teams all doing their own thing.”

During the “No Excuses” campaign each harbourmaster and Maritime NZ provide additional staff and resources to be on the water on five designated days in each area. This is additional to safer boating work already being done by all.

The Maritime Transport Act and council bylaws require carrying and wearing lifejackets. The five knot speed rule is in place within 200 metres of the shore and divers, and within 50 metres of swimmers and other boats.

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