If you want to stay safe in and around the water, you need to know the particular risks for your boat and activity. Whether you’re using a power boat, jet boat, jetski, dinghy, sailboat, kayak, personal watercraft, or waka (to name a few), or water-skiing, diving, board sailing or fishing, you need to be aware of some specific safety considerations.

Power boats

Sailing boats, trailer yachts and board sailing

Rowing dinghies, kayaks, canoes, waka and outriggers

Personal watercraft (PWC) or jetskis

Jet boats

Water-skiing, sea biscuits and wakeboarding

Diving

Fishing

Power boats

The skipper of any power boat capable of over 10 knots must be aged at least 15.

Special rules apply to power boats to help prevent collisions:

power boats must give way to sailing vessels, or vessels powered by oars or paddles
if another power boat is approaching you from directly ahead, then both must turn to starboard (right)
if another power boat is approaching from your starboard (right) side, then you must give way by passing behind the other boat.

Sailing boats, trailer yachts and board sailing

All types of sailing vessels are subject to the same rules.

Special rules apply between sailing boats – you need to make sure you understand and follow these. When you are sailing, expect that power vessels will give way to you. However, there are times when you have to keep clear of power boats:

in channels where a power vessel is restricted, the sail must keep clear.
for some types of vessels (such as commercial fishing vessels), sailing boats must give way.

Taking a yacht overseas

Rowing dinghies, kayaks, canoes, waka and outriggers

No formal “rules of the road” apply when these types of boats meet, so courtesy and good seamanship is expected. (If driven by a motor, then the normal rules for power boats apply.)

Good seamanship says:

the boat that is in the best position to give way should do so – this will often be the faster or more manoeuvrable boat
it is very important that an early and obvious change is made, so that the other boat is able to respond appropriately.

Kayak safety and staying bright on top

Waka guidelines

Personal watercraft (PWC) or jetskis

A PWC is a power-driven vessel with a fully-enclosed hull. PWCs do not take on water if capsized, and are designed to be operated by a person standing, sitting, kneeling or sitting astride.

A PWC operator must be aged at least 15, and the normal rules for power boats apply.

Jet boats

Jet boats operate mainly on shallow rivers.

In addition to the normal boating rules, boats heading upstream in rivers should keep out of the way of boats going downstream. In many of the rivers where jetboats operate, the 5 knot speed restriction within 200 metres of the shore has been "uplifted". Before operating any boat, check the rules for the area you are in with the local authority.

Water-skiing, sea biscuits and wakeboarding

The normal boating rules for power boats apply, along with the following additional safety rules.

These apply to people who are water-skiing, riding sea biscuits, wakeboarding and towing anyone:

there must be a minimum of three to ski – one to ski, one to drive the boat, and the third person, who must be at least 10 years old, to watch the skier, so the skipper can concentrate on driving the boat safely
skiers must wear an appropriate buoyancy aid
avoid shallow water
when picking up a skier, turn the boat towards the side the skier is on, so that the propeller swings away from the skier
you must not water-ski between sunset and sunrise
display a red flag when anyone has fallen off skis or a ski-biscuit to warn other boats in the area to keep a lookout for them.

In addition, ski access lanes

are marked by posts painted with orange and black bands
are not subject to the 5 knot rule – you can go right to the beach at speed
have a "keep to the right" rule when going in and out of an access lane
give water skiers priority rights to use access lanes ahead of other users.

Diving

Both the skipper and divers are legally responsible for displaying a dive flag (pictured on the left) that is able to be seen and readily identified from 200 metres away.

The minimum legal flag size is 600 mm high by at least 600 mm long. It must be clearly visible even when there is no wind. A watch-keeper left on the dive boat must be instructed to wave the flag, so that it can be seen by any approaching vessel. A three-dimensional rigid mounted flag is necessary if no watch-keeper stays on board.

Divers sometimes drift away from their support boat, so expect them to be well away from the boat. Maintain at least 200 metres distance from the flag, or keep your speed down to under 5 knots.

Fishing

Fishing from small vessels is by far the most popular pastime for boaties. New Zealand has a unique but sometimes dangerous marine environment. To ensure you return home safely from your day on the water, there are a few things you need to be aware of before heading out, or when you’re at anchor waiting for the big one.

Check the weather – before you head, out and monitor it while you're out. If in doubt, don’t go/stay out

Wear your lifejacket – it’s a good habit to get into, especially in small boats. When things go wrong, they can go wrong very quickly – often there’s not enough time to access your lifejacket and put it on.

Take communications – carry at least two means of communication with you. Keep them on you and keep them dry. Let someone responsible know where you’re going out and when you’re due back.

Avoid alcohol – keep consumption to a minimum.

Stow your gear – loose fishing gear in the boat when you’re travelling at speed can be dangerous and distracting and will affect your stability.

Keep your decks clean – a clean deck and transom area will prevent your bilge pumps and drain holes from blocking up. A build-up of water on the deck can affect stability and cause a capsize.

Keep a lookout – especially when anchoring in channels. Sometimes the best fishing spots are in the main deep-water channels of a port – be aware it is against the law to impede the passage of a ship over 500 tons (as a general rule, vessels over 50 metre

s are also over 500 tons).

Keep clear of cable protection zones – anchoring and fishing is not permitted in these zones. Heavy fines can be imposed if you are found anchoring or fishing in these areas.