INDEPENDENT NEWS

“New harbour bylaws on their way”

Published: Thu 2 Nov 2000 05:56 PM
“New harbour bylaws on their way”
Thursday 2 November
Compulsory registration of jetskis (personal water craft) is a step closer after the ARC Parks and Recreation Committee today approved new Navigation Safety Bylaws for the Auckland region.
Committee chairman Bill Burrill says feedback on the bylaws has so far been positive with no negative comments from any section of the community.
“Registration of personal water craft (PWCs) is something the public have been calling for and the need for it is widely acknowledged by responsible users such as the Auckland jet Sport Association,” he says.
Under the new bylaws all personal water craft will be subject to a one off registration fee of $20 and will be required to display a registration number.
Other key points contained in the new bylaws include:
 PWC use is prohibited at Parnell’s Judges Bay and the Panmure Basin
 No craft may travel at a speed exceeding five knots within 50 metres of a person or another vessel (this is an increase from the 30 metre distance in current regulations)
 A person must be over 15 years of age to operate a power vessel capable of a proper speed of more than 10 knots
 Swimming only areas are designated at Kohimarama and St Heliers Bay (Swimming only areas are between signposts on the foreshore and extend to the outermost white buoys).
 The compulsory wearing of lifejackets in circumstances where tides, river flows, visibility, rough seas, adverse weather or emergencies pose a risk to the safety of those on board (this is an extension of the existing bylaws which require all pleasure craft to carry life jackets).
Cr Burrill says the wide ranging new bylaws are national regulations which mirror those likely to be adopted by the Wellington Regional Council and other regional councils in due course.
“The bylaws reflect a common sense approach to safety on the water and I believe they will have a positive impact for both recreational and commercial users of our harbours.
“Responsible skippers should take the bylaws to heart and set an example to others on board their boats by being the first to comply.”
Auckland Harbourmaster James McPetrie says his Maritime Operations Team, which is charged with enforcing the bylaws on Auckland waters, plans a six month compliance period.
“We want to educate the public and give them the opportunity to comply. The message is simply that by complying they will be contributing to their own safety and that of others.”
Copies of the new bylaws are available for inspection by the public at the ARC offices during normal working hours and on the ARC website (www.arc.govt.nz).
The bylaws are due to go before the full meeting of the Auckland Regional Council on November 20 and are likely to be finally adopted by ARC at its December 18 meeting.
- END -
For further information please call:
Cr Bill Burrill
Chairman, ARC Parks and Recreation Committee
Phone 366-2000 ext 8179
Mobile 021 978 139
Home 263 8071
Or
James McPetrie
ARC Harbourmaster
Phone 366-2000 ext 8404
Mobile 025 516 910
Or
Megan Perry
ARC Communications
Phone 366-2000 ext 7135
Mobile 021 633 028

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