Boating Adventures
Whether you have a kayak, waka, personal water craft, sail or power boat, make sure you use the Boating Safety Code as a guide for essential preparation, use the links below – and have a great time!
All boating activities are regulated by Maritime New Zealand and the regional council for each area.
Bar crossings are a high risk activity for even the most experienced boatie. The Waikato Regional Council has paired up with Bay of Plenty Regional Council to produce five bar crossing films, which will walk you through the key safety steps to undertake to ensure you make a safer bar crossing.
| Life Jackets Boats, especially ones under 6m in length, can sink very quickly. Wearing a life jacket increases your survival time in the water. |
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| Communications Take two seperate waterproof ways of communicating so we can help you if you get into difficulties. |
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| Marine Weather New Zealand's weather can be highly unpredictable. Check the local weather forecast before you go and expect both weather and sea state changes. |
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| Avoid Alcohol Safe boating and alcohol do not mix. Things can change quickly on the water. You need to stay alert and aware. |
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Skipper Responsibility The skipper is responsible for the safety of everyone on board and for the safe operation of the boat. Stay within the limits of your vessel and your experience.
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Lifejackets – a legal requirementYou must carry a correctly sized, serviceable lifejacket for each person on board a pleasure boat in New Zealand. Download the nationally agreed guidelines to help you choose the right inflatable lifejacket, and learn how and when to service it.
- Maritime NZ: Recreational Boating
Everything you need to know about safe recreational boating in New Zealand. - Maritime NZ: Informational Safety Videos
Link to Maritime New Zealand's YouTube channel featuring boat safety videos. - Coastguard NZ
Safety information & education, plus maritime rescue services. - Coastguard Boating Education
NZ’s leading provider of recreational boating courses. - Water Safety NZ: Boating
Information on safe recreational boating. - Surf Life Saving NZ
Information about waves, tides & rips. - Land Information New Zealand (LINZ): Tide Predictions
Tide predictions for NZ waters. - Bar crossing safety tips
View five videos that will walk you through the key bar crossing safety steps. - MetService Marine app
Check marine forecasts from your phone with the MetService Marine app.
