November 18, 2000

The Auckland Regional Council has introduced the compulsory registration of jetskis (personal water craft) as part of a new set of maritime bylaws adopted today.

From next year all personal water craft (PWCs) will be subject to a one off registration fee and be required to display a registration number. PWCs will be banned form Judges Bay and the Panmure Basin.

Other key elements of the new bylaws include:
 No vessel may travel at a speed exceeding five knots within 50 metres of a person or another vessel in the water (an increase from the 30 metre distance in current regulations);
 The wearing of personal flotation devices (lifejackets) becomes compulsory in circumstances where conditions cause a risk or danger to the safety of persons on board (an extension of the existing regulation which requires sufficient lifejackets for all persons on board a vessel to be carried;
 At the request of Auckland City, marked areas for swimmers only have been set aside at St Heliers And Kohimarama;
 Point Chevalier Beach is off limits to all powered vessels; and
 All recreational craft, including small yachts, will have to keep clear of large ships within pilotage limits.

ARC Chairman Philip Warren says he is pleased his council is once again taking the lead on maritime issues in New Zealand, as it did when it became the first council to introduce the compulsory carriage of lifejackets on boats in 1994.

This time around the ARC is joined by Wellington Regional Council who have also adopted new bylaws.

“Auckland’s waters contain more boats than anywhere else in the country so it is up to our region to set an example,” Cr Warren says.

The ARC becomes the first council to recognise surf beaches by giving flagged areas official status under the new bylaws and as a result of the ARC’s work with the lifejacket regulations, the Maritime Safety Authority is looking at introducing a national rule to mirror Auckland’s bylaw.

“We are confident our new regulations will be a timely boost to safety on the water.

“We expect regional councils throughout the rest of the country to see the benefits and to follow suit in the near future,” Cr Warren says.

Acting Harbourmaster Hans Swete says the new regulations officially come into effect on January 1, 2001.

He and his ARC Maritime Operations Team plan a six month compliance period during which they will be out on the water reminding boaties of their obligations under the new rules.

- END -

For further information please call:

Hans Swete
Acting Harbourmaster
Phone 361-2405

Or

Simon Roche
ARC Communications
Phone 366-2000 ext 8100
Mobile 021 656 380

© Scoop Media