Safety on the water is everyone’s concern. Every skipper or person in charge of any vessel is responsible for the safety of the vessel and for any other people on board, as well as for complying with this bylaw and the maritime rules.
This Navigation Safety Bylaw is aimed at facilitating safe use of the harbours, rivers, lakes and coastal waters of the Waikato region.
The bylaw has been reviewed taking into account the Maritime Rule Part 91 of the Maritime Transport Act and subsequent amendments to that rule since the council adopted the 2006 Bylaw and a range of minor improvements and amendments that have been suggested over time.
There are a number of Maritime Rules, prepared under the Maritime Transport Act 1994, which relate specifically to local boating and water user activities. In particular, Maritime Rules Part 91 relates to navigation safety. These rules replace the Water Recreation Regulations 1974, and some provisions of the General Harbour (Nautical and Miscellaneous) Regulations 1968. The rules primarily address boating conditions and safety expectations and set basic national navigation standards.
These national standards are enforced through this navigation safety bylaw, and also allow for local variations where appropriate.
In addition to this bylaw, Maritime Rules Part 22: Collision Prevention is also critical to local boating and water users. This bylaw does not repeat these rules, rather it is a requirement that all water users ensure that they are aware of and comply with these rules. (Further information and a full copy of Part 22 can be found on www.maritimenz.govt.nz).
Environment Waikato recommends to any boat user the training courses provided by Coastguard Boating Education, which can be referenced on their website: www.cbes.org.nz or by calling 0800 40 80 90 (outside Auckland). The Waikato region has two Coastguard regions which cover different areas, Coastguard Northern Region and Coastguard Eastern Region. The contact details for these are below:
| Coastguard Northern Region |
Coastguard Eastern Region |
| (covers Port Waikato, Raglan, Kawhia, Marokopa, Awakino, Mokau, Thames and Coromandel Harbour) |
(covers the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula) |
| Telephone: |
Telephone: |
Emergency 09 303 1 303
Cellphone *500
Administration 09 303 4 303 |
Emergency 111 and ask for Police
Administration 07 5794631 |
| Marine VHF: |
Marine VHF: |
| Raglan / Kawhia Channel 86 |
Channel 21 |
| Education courses |
Education courses |
| Coastguard Northern Region Maritime School courses are listed on the Coastguard website or you can contact 09 303 9364. |
Coastguard Eastern Region courses are listed on the Coastguard website or you can contact 07 579 4631. |
For any queries on this bylaw or on safe navigation in the region contact Environment Waikato on freephone 0800 800 401, or visit the website for harbourmaster contact details on www.ew.govt.nz/navigation
For your safety and prompt response in an emergency, lodge a trip report with Coastguard before you cross a bar!
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The Waikato region
