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Recreational boating

We are responsible for promoting safe recreational boating on the water (sea, river or lake).

Whether you have a kayak, personal water craft, waka, sail or power boat, you must know the rules, have the right equipment, and be a responsible skipper.

Our four key safety messages are based on common factors in recreational boating deaths:

1. lifejackets – take the correct sized lifejacket for each person on board, and wear them
   
2. weather – check the latest marine forecast and tides before you go out
   
3. communications equipment – carry at least two means of communication on you
   
4. avoid alcohol – stay safe on the water.

Our safety messages are part of the Boating Safety Strategy, which uses a mix of education and legislation to reduce the key risk factors in recreational boating deaths.

More information and free resources

Enjoy safe boating with your family and your mates – order your free safe boating pack now.

This free pack includes a DVD – covering preparation and planning, handling emergencies, rules and regulations, safe operation and seamanship PLUS local information – a booklet, sticker and cellphone bag, along with boating education and other safety information.

Click here for a free safe boating pack.

• Check out our other free resources and publications
• Email our recreational boating team with your boating safety questions: recreational.boating@maritimenz.govt.nz

For free boating safety resources, email: publications@maritimenz.govt.nz with your details to request any of the following:

• a cellphone bag – ziplock bag to keep cellphones dry
• Safe Boating: an essential guide – booklet covering how to be safe on the water (sea, river or lakes)
• Safe Boating in New Zealand DVD – choose the topics you want to view – contains local and national information (2 hours long)
• Tips about safe boating sticker [PDF: 230Kb, 1 page] – a quick summary of safe boating tips
• Radio handbook [PDF: 674Kb, 56 pages] – all about VHF and MF/HF or SSB radios.

To learn more about safe boating, check out the courses on the Coastguard Boating Education website.