Media Release: Waikato Regional Council
Waikato Regional Council is urging Raglan holiday home owners who rent baches with kayaks and other vessels to provide information on lifejackets.
“We have some great holiday spots around the region situated close to the water, and many bach owners allow renters to use the vessels they have stored on site,” said navigation safety programme manager, Nicole Botherway.
“Many people with little or no experience will head out onto the water in these vessels to make the most of the beautiful, sunny days over summer. To help prevent a holiday tragedy, we’re asking bach owners to provide renters with information on the water safety rules for the Waikato and ensure lifejackets in a range of sizes are readily available.
“It’s especially important people are encouraged to wear the lifejackets and understand that they need to be the right fit if they’re going to do their job. A lifejacket won’t save a life if it slips off when someone ends up in the water,” Mrs Botherway said.
A brochure, Key rules for boating in the Waikato, summarises some of the key general rules in the regional council’s Navigation Safety Bylaw 2013.
The rules are aimed at keeping the region’s inland and coastal waterways safe for all users.
A new rule introduced in July this year in the Waikato requires correctly-fitting lifejackets to be worn in vessels six metres or less when not at anchor. This rule applies to all types of vessels, including power boats, kayaks, dinghies, yachts and jet skis.
Visit www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/navigation to download a copy of Key rules for boating in the Waikato, or call the navigation safety team on 0800 800 401.