Wakeing up to marina safety

A reminder from Coastguard New Zealand for skippers to watch their wake in and around marinas, following a number of incidents over the past few months.

In several cases, Coastguard volunteers have been towing vessels back into marinas, transitioning into a barging position when they have encountered large launches coming out of marinas at high speeds producing large wakes. These have in some incidents caused damage to Coastguard vessels and injury to volunteers.

We are as keen as anyone to get out onto the water, but are asking skippers to respect maritime rules and keep safe distance and speeds around Coastguard vessels. Skippers should remember: 

• The maximum speed permitted for all boats in New Zealand is 5 knots (about 9 km/h) within 200 metres of shore or any boat with a dive flag, and within 50 metres of any other boat or swimmer.  
• Look out for the yellow and blue Delta Flag which Coastguard vessels raise when engaged in towing or barging activities. 
• Observe and respect any ‘no wake zone’ enforced by the marina.