Soaring numbers of inexperienced boaties are heading out to sea in Auckland concerning water safety advocates.

Research* shows a dramatic increase in the numbers of new boat trailer registrations and a high percentage of boaties on the water with fewer than five years experience.

WSNZ CEO Jonty Mills says the figures are a concern and a strategy is being developed to focus on water safety in Auckland.

“It’s our largest population base and with high particpation rates across a wide range of water based activities, an accessible harbour and warm climate it’s important we have a strong focus on Auckland.”

Auckland is a challenging environment currently with on average 17 preventable drowning fatalities per year.

There have been 67 preventable drowning fatalities over the five years 2013 – 2017. Beaches are the deadliest environment with immersion incidents the deadliest activity, followed by swimming and powered boating.

The region averages almost 600 Coastguard callouts, 85 water related NZ Police search and rescue callouts and almost 6000 water related ACC claims annually.

“Auckland has had rapid population growth and water safety services are scrambling to keep up with demand. These are largely volunteer based organisations facing significant challenges” says Mills.

WSNZ is working with Drowning Prevention Auckland (DPA) and other partners in the region to develop an Auckland Regional Water Safety Strategy.

“We want to engage with local communities so this strategy is driven by leaders from the region who understand the issues and challenges unique to the area” says Mills.

This weekend DPA’s Auckland Water Safety Week supported by WSNZ gets underway at Okahu Bay. Water safety organisations will be in action promoting aquatic education and water sports with demonstrations, events, forums and games.

The aquatic education programme for children in years 1 – 8, Water Skills for Life, supported by The Warehouse, will be a feature of the WSNZ exhibit. Parents and children can learn about the water safety skills taught in school and have the chance to win The Warehouse vouchers by entering into the Water Skills for Life colouring competition.

For more detail on Auckland’s Water Safety Week go to https://watersafety.org.nz/water%20safety%20week

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