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Harbourmaster patrol stats stark reminder of ocean danger

The use of excessive speed and a lack of lifejackets from recreational boat users continue to provide headaches for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Harbourmaster team.

From Labour weekend to 10 January, patrols handed out breach notices to 94 skippers for speeding violations and to 86 for breaking lifejacket rules.

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Some 345 breaches were handed out in total.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Harbourmaster Jon Jon Peters says all weregnoring the rules.

“Again, the biggest culprits are power boat and jetski users, but we are seeing an increase in kayak and paddleboard users not carrying lifejackets or personal floatation devices,” Peters says.

Of the 86 lifejacket breaches, 22 were kayakers, and 17 were stand-up paddleboarders.

“The stark reality is we had two people drown on Rotorua lakes last year who were in kayaks and not wearing lifejackets.”

Two-thirds of the speeding violations were committed by jetski operators. Peters says jetski owners also need to remember their craft must be registered and powered vessels over 4m must be named.

“It’s great to see the majority of boaties have been sticking to the rules and been great to deal with,” Peters says.

Those using craft on the water can face a $200 fine for breaching the rules.

 

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Photography: Getty Images

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