Maritime NZ announces $470,000 for safer boating grants
17 October 2016
As part of Safer Boating Week (October 14-21) Maritime NZ has announced $470,000 dollars in grants – a major increase in
national funding for recreational boating programmes,
Last year safer boating grants totalled $124,000 and in 2014 they totalled $77,000.
The Government provides the funding for safer boating grants from the Fuel Excise Duty on petrol. A proportion of this
duty is paid by recreational boaties fueling power boats.
Thousands more boaties will now be reached through face-to-face training courses, school programmes, smartphone apps,
subsidised “Old 4 New” lifejacket upgrades, and many more initiatives.
“Our aim is to support community programmes that help boaties be safer,” the Chair of the Safer Boating Forum*, Maritime
NZ Deputy Director Lindsay Sturt, said.
“We are helping groups and regional councils to do more to interact directly with boaties.”
Mr Sturt said Maritime NZ is also looking at how councils and boating organisations can be funded over three years so
programmes could have continuity.
“Continuity will hopefully lead to fewer boaties dying in preventable accidents. Programmes could be better planned,
messages repeated and reinforced, and you are more likely to get safer behaviour.”
Summary of the 15 programmes funded:
OrganisationProgramme2016/17Marlborough District CouncilTailored safety training courses for local boaties and support material, plus on-water patrols$20,350Bay of Plenty Regional CouncilSafety compliance programme - boat ramp workshops, roadshow presentations (clubs, groups, boat shows) college visits,
on-water enforcement$62,000Environment Canterbury Regional CouncilProgramme including boat ramp safety promotions, on water patrols, competitions and media, all promoting boating safety
through information, advice, education and compliance activities.$50,000Waikato Regional CouncilUpdate the successful Marine Mate smartphone app, produce fishing rulers to help compliance with MPI rules and
waterproof cellphone bags.$23,000Hawke's Bay Regional CouncilSafer boating education for more than 2,000 for primary and intermediate school children$10,000Environment SouthlandRegional newspaper and radio advertising and face-to-face engagement with boaties on the water and at boat ramps.$30,000Tasman District Council and
Nelson City CouncilBoat ramp safety promotion (Fuel for safety) boat checks and associated media coverage; harbourmasters invitational race
day Oct 15 with a variety of water sports clubs; be a harbourmaster for a day colouring competition; plus meetings with
clubs and other organisations; school visits; increased water safety patrols; updated boat ramp signage etc.$30,000
Tasman District CouncilOn the water safer boating patrols - extension of current programme.$15,000Queenstown Lakes District CouncilLocal radio advertising to support Council boating safety compliance campaign$5,000Eight regional councilsOn-water enforcement activity – details to be confirmed.$50,000Coastguard Boating EducationFolau Malu Journey Safely (Pasifika Boating Education Programme).– provide day skipper, basic sea survival, boatmaster, and day skipper tutor
courses for Pasifika boating safety ‘champions'$50,000NZ Sport Fishing Council Inc.‘Hiwi the Kiwi' – reach 5000 Pacific island and Maori students at 10 decile one schools in South Auckland with lifejacket and boat
safety programme
$14,000Coastguard New ZealandExtension of 'Old 4 New' lifejacket upgrade campaign to cover the North Island.$75,000Yachting NZA hands on sailing programme for 3,500 8 to 12-year-old children in the 'Volvo Sailing… Have a Go!' training programme
(including boating safety).
$25,000Coastguard NZProduction of Boating Safety Codebrochure and advertising$10,000Total $469,350
Safer Boating Week, October 14-21
Safer Boating Week is the week before Labour Day weekend, the traditional start of recreational boating in much of the
country. The aim is to encourage boaties to take simple steps before getting back on the water: Prep your boat, Check
your Gear, Know the rules.
Lots more information at www.saferboating.org.nz and on our Facebook Safer Boating NZ
•Prep– service the engine, check and change the fuel, check the battery and just generally give the boat a good onceover.
•
•Check– make sure your lifejackets are still fit for purpose and you have enough. Service any inflatable lifejackets and
ensure you have two reliable forms of communication equipment.
•
•Know– ensure you know the “rules of the road” on the water, and check your local bylaws to make sure you understand what the
requirements are in your area.
•
* The Safer Boating Forum was established in 2000 to coordinate and implement recreational boating safety initiatives.
It is made up of government agencies and local government, water safety and recreational boating organisations, and the
marine industry. The Forum’s work is aimed at reducing boating injuries and fatalities and improving boat safety
behaviour. Maritime NZ chairs the Forum and members include Coastguard, Jet Boating NZ, Kiwi Association of Sea
Kayakers, local and central government, NZ Fishing News, NZ Jet Sports Boating Association, NZ Marine Industry
Association, NZ Underwater Association, Surf Lifesaving NZ, Waka Ama NZ, Water Safety NZ, WaterSafe Auckland, White
Water NZ, and Yachting NZ.
ENDS