Life jackets are the skipper’s responsibility

Boat skippers must make sure everyone on board has a correctly-fitted life jacket on, Environment Canterbury Coasts and Waterways Safety Navigational Safety Officer Gary Manch says.

Mr Manch says the skipper is legally responsible for the safety of the boat and all the people on board and for complying with all the rules and bylaws.

“Skippers must make sure life jackets are nice and snug on themselves and their passengers. Canterbury boaties have a good compliance record for wearing life jackets and it’s important that this continues,” he says.

Mr Manch says the skipper does not necessarily have to be steering or driving the boat, as it is more important to be in charge of the decision making.

Even though a licence is not required to operate a recreational boat in New Zealand, Mr Manch says knowing maritime rules or bylaws before you go boating is wise.

“Saying ‘I didn’t know’ or ’I didn’t realise I was meant to be in charge’, is not acceptable and is dangerous. It can also lead to fines or prosecution.”

If you’re the skipper you must:

• Make sure every person on board your boat has the right sized life jacket

• Check the marine weather forecast before you head out and keep updated

• Carry two means of communicating in case you get into trouble – make sure they are waterproof

• Leave details of your trip and boat with a responsible person on shore

• Avoid alcohol – it will impair your judgement and ability to survive in an emergency

• If you have a VHF radio make a trip report and stay in contact with Maritime Radio or the local Coastguard or marine radio service.

Environment Canterbury (ECan) keeps up-to-date brochures outlining the boating safety rules for the most heavily used harbours, lakes and rivers in Canterbury under ‘Recreational boating’www.ecan.govt.nz/our-responsibilities/maritime/Pages/rec-boating.aspx on the ECan website.

ENDS

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