Here we provide you with some general tips and key bylaws to stay safe when boating in Northland.
For a copy of all the rules when boating in Northland, you can download a copy of the Navigation Safety Bylaw from our publications section.
Fines can be issued by our staff for breaching the 2007 Navigation Safety Bylaw.
Get a list of offences and fines in the Publications section of our website.
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Think how much you enjoy the clean waters, and help keep them that way by taking your rubbish home with you.
If you are in the Bay of Islands, there is a rubbish barge anchored off the southeast end of Moturoa Island.
You cannot discharge oil or any other harmful liquids into the sea.
Remember:
- Make sure a responsible person supervises any refuelling operation;
- Keep absorbent material handy to clean up any spill immediately;
- Mop up any oil substances from the bilge water before pumping your bilge;
- Dispose of any waste ashore; and
- If you are responsible for a spill or notice one, notify the Northland Regional Council immediately.
Report any oil, chemical or fuel spills to the Regional Council's 24/7 Environmental Hotline: 0800 504 639
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The skipper is legally responsible for everyone on board. Make it clear that you are in charge.
- Before you go, tell someone where you are going and when you will be back.
- Make sure you have enough lifejackets for everyone on board.
- Carry spare fuel, oars, a bailer, fire extinguisher and distress signals (flares) on board.
- Show your passengers where the safety gear is and how it works.
- Know the area you are boating in, or use a nautical chart.
- Check the marine forecast. If in doubt, don't go.
- Make sure you have enough fuel - and keep some in reserve.
- Keep your motor well maintained.
- Don't overload your boat.
- Keep a good lookout at all times.
- Know the "rules of the road".
- Don't drink alcohol on the boat.
- Please don't pirate other people's moorings.
- Anchor carefully so your boat doesn't drag or swing around and damage other craft.
Find out more: www.boatsafe.co.nz
The reporting of boating accidents and groundings helps to improve navigation safety. Accidents do happen, but with knowledge of existing problems, resources can be allocated to improve safety.
The Northland Regional Council installs and maintains the ‘Aids to Navigation’ (buoys, beacons and lights) in the region, and these are provided where they are most needed.
We also provide safety signage and information booklets, and work with other regions, nationally, towards improving safety on the water. Future planning is based on the information we have, so please assist by sending in an accident report form, if applicable.
Notifiable accidents include:
- Collision, sinking, grounding, stranding, injury to any person, damage to vessel or property; or
- Any incident that may affect safe navigation, give rise to danger to another person, vessel or property.
Notification can be made at any Northland Regional Council office.
Immediate notification can be made by calling the 24/7 Environmental Hotline on 0800 504 639
For further information, see the Northland Regional Council Safety Bylaw 2007 section 2.9, or freephone 0800 002 004 and ask to speak to a member of the Maritime Team
Download a form to report a boating accident or grounding
If you are boating or fishing around the New Zealand Refining Company at Marsden Point, Whāngārei Harbour make sure you stay out of the prohibited area for your own safety and that of the refinery and tankers.
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The speed limits and minimum age regulations apply to jet skis as well as all boats.
Council bylaws require that all jetskis used in Northland are registered.
Find out how to register your jet ski in Northland
Kayakers
If you are kayaking, canoeing or using low profile watercraft on Northland's lakes, rivers and seas, make sure you can be seen by other boaties.
Get some safety tips from the Maritime New Zealand website
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You are required to use lifejackets and buoyancy aids on recreational vessels in Northland.
You must carry correctly fitting buoyancy aids for each person on board. These must be worn for bar crossings or when there is an increased chance of an accident.
Windsurfers and sailboarders are required to wear a buoyancy aid or wet suit.
Remember, no person under 15 years old can drive a motor boat or jet ski that is capable of exceeding 10 knots.
Power boats must give way to boats under sail.
Overtaking boats
All boats, sail or power, overtaking from astern (behind) must keep clear until they are well past the boat being overtaken. The boat in front may not be aware of your presence or intentions.
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Power boats meeting head on
Each boat must alter course to starboard (right) to pass on the port (left) side of the other—the opposite to driving on the road.
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Power boats meeting on an angle (crossing)
Give way to boats on your starboard (right) side.
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In narrow channels - all boats must:
- Give ways to ships, as they may not be able to change course or stop easily;
- Keep as far over to the starboard side of the channel as practicable;
- Avoid anchoring in a channel; and
- Avoid crossing a channel if this prevents a larger boat from doing so that has no room to move.
Within harbour limits:
- Boats must give way to ships and seaplanes taking off or landing; and
- Autopilot devices should be used with caution.
You must keep a good lookout at all times. It is your responsibility to stay alert for other boats, swimmers, dive boats, hazards and obstacles. Listen as well as look.
Check that you display the correct navigation and anchor lights for your boat's size.
Visit the Boatsafe website for more information on what lights you need to display.
http://www.boatsafe.co.nz/safety/lights.shtml
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Keep the speed below 5 knots (walking speed) when your boat is within:
• 200 metres of shore;
• 200 metres of a boat flying a dive flag;
• 50 metres of another boat or person in the water; or
• A passenger is not fully in the boat (moving is dangerous).
All boats must travel at a safe speed, taking into account the amount of boat traffic in the area, weather conditions and when visibility is affected by glare.
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All vessels carrying out dive activities must display the code flag "A" or a rigid replica where it can be clearly seen. The flag must be no smaller than 600mm x 600mm. The divers should stay within 200 metres of the vessel showing the flag.
Passing vessels must watch out for the blue and white diver's flag and observe the 5 knot speed limit around these flags.
Water ski lanes are distinguished by orange and black banded posts and they are set out in most of Northland's harbours. These lanes are exempt from the 5 knot speed limit. Please use them.
Remember, it takes three to ski:
• The skier
• The driver
• An observer.
Who to contact
Northland Regional Council
Report navigation light breakdowns, navigation hazards, oil or chemical spills, dangerous boating or any other pollution or maritime incidents to the Regional Council's 24/7 Environmental Hotline: 0800 504 639
Department of Conservation
Report fishing in marine reserves or marine mammal strandings (whales and dolphins) to the Department of Conservation Hotline: 0800 362 468
Ministry of Fisheries
For fishing and shellfish limits, phone the Ministry of Fisheries Hotline: 0800 478 537