Boaties and divers still urged to take care

Despite the busy Christmas and New Year period being over, people heading out on the water in Northland are still being urged to take extra care.

Northland Regional Council maritime staff and police search and rescue members agree there are a number of simple steps boaties can take to keep safe on the water, including ensuring boats are well maintained and serviced, avoiding alcohol, wearing lifejackets, checking the weather forecast, letting someone know where you are going, and ensuring you have proper means of communications on board.

Northland police responded to 320 calls for assistance in incidents involving almost 600 people during the 2011/12 financial year with summer the busiest time for police search and rescue staff.

Over the same year-long period, 14 people had drowned in Northland; twice the road toll.

Incorrect or non-use of dive flags by boaties and divers is a real concern for the NRC.

In recent months a number of skippers had been forced to take evasive action to avoid divers because flags were nowhere to be seen or dive boats were not near their divers.

Under NRC bylaws, a dive flag must be displayed so it’s clearly visible from another vessel 200 metres away.

Vessels should keep a good lookout for divers and not exceed five knots within 200 metres of a vessel flying a dive flag.

Water safety info and tips available online at www.nrc.govt.nz/safeboating