Maritime NZ is looking out for you on the water and outdoors these holidays
31 Dec, 2020 08:00 PM
4 minutes to read
Maritime NZ reminds boaties to follow the prep, check, know rule: prep your craft, check your gear and know your responsibilities. Photo / Supplied
Te Awamutu Courier
Maritime NZ is reminding New Zealanders to stay safe these holidays. Our critical services are still available 24/7 over the break but we hope you won t need them! said Maritime NZ director Keith Manch. Have a plan, and prepare before you head out. Your safety depends on having a plan of action – no matter how experienced you are. Make sure you always have the right knowledge, experience and equipment.
Keith Manch, CEO and director of Maritime NZ, says boat sales are picking up fast. What we re seeing is information from manufacturers and retailers about their sales going through the roof in terms of watercraft. and with people not being able to leave the country we think a lot of them are going to be on the water.
In fact, there are now 1.7 million recreational boaties in New Zealand, and in an effort to try and keep them safe the Coastguard s Old4New life jacket campaign is touring the country. We ve got more life jackets, we ve got two vans this year, we ve got improved funding from the government and Maritime NZ, says Gillespie.