No excuses this summer

Maritime NZ, 13 councils and the Lake Taupo Harbourmaster have started an extended “No Excuses” campaign for recreational boaties not carrying or wearing lifejackets and those who speed on the water.

Maritime NZ Deputy Director, Sharyn Forsyth, says councils will take action against boaties who break lifejacket and speed rules. This will include infringement notices of up to $300, depending on each area’s bylaws.

“No Excuses” began in the summer of 2016 with Maritime NZ and eight councils. Last summer 10 councils chose to join in, and this year this has increased to 14 (including Lake Taupo, whose Harbourmaster is employed by the Department of Internal Affairs).

The Maritime Transport Act and council bylaws require carrying and wearing lifejackets. The five knot rule is in place within 200 metres of shore and divers, and within 50 metres of swimmers and other boats.

The “No Excuses” campaign will be run for five days by each of the councils and on Lake Taupo at different times between now and March 31, 2019.