Boaties urged to be safe on the water this Labour Day

Monday, 28 October 2019

Wear lifejackets, check the weather forecast and take waterproof communications is the message to boaties heading out on Labour Day.

The warning comes as figures show almost two thirds of recreational boating deaths involve inadequate communications.

While it could not be said for certain that inadequate communications cost those boaties their lives, it did make it much harder to search for them and rescue them, according to Mike Hill, manager of Maritime NZ's Rescue Coordination Centre NZ (RCCNZ).

'Boaties should always have at least two waterproof ways to call for help,' he said.

* Not wearing lifejackets still the leading cause of boating deaths

* A matter of life and death on the water**

So far this year, 18 people have died in recreational boating accidents, compared to just four in the whole of last year.

Maritime NZ out during the 2018 No Excuses campaign (file photo).

Coastguard's Rob McCaw said boaties should take and wear lifejackets and check the local marine forecast before heading out.

'The unexpected can happen even to the most experienced of boaties,' he said.

'Checking over your boat, ensuring your batteries are well charged and making sure you've got enough fuel to get there and back, and some in reserve, are some simple ways to get sorted.'

With a strong wind advisory in force for all areas this long weekend, a mechanical incident had the potential to become something a lot more serious if the weather or sea state changed, he added.

Last year, Coastguard volunteers assisted boaties at 67 incidents over Labour Weekend, and they expected to be busy again this year.

Coastguard stressed the importance of taking two forms of waterproof communication: 'If Coastguard can't hear you, we can't rescue you.'

In coastal waters a marine VHF radio was usually boaties' best first choice, with a distress beacon as a back-up, Maritime NZ said.

A VHF radio was better than a phone because it broadcast to everyone on the network.

'If someone on your boat has chest pains while you're in a bay, there might be people in other boats who are doctors or nurses or paramedics and who can be with you in minutes. They won't know that if you only have a phone, yet they might hear your call on a VHF radio,' Hill said.

Key safety messages from Coastguard for this weekend on the water:

Lifejackets – take them and wear them. They've never ruined a day out on the water.

As the skipper you are responsible for everyone on board and getting them home safely at the end of the day.

Take at least two forms of waterproof communication, such as a VHF radio, cell phone in a waterproof bag and flares.

It's essential to check your local marine weather forecast before heading out and be prepared for the weather to change while you're out there.