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One of the best ways to keep everyone safe while at sea is for boat owners and operators to do a Coastguard Boating Education course.
Courses range from the Day Skipper course to the more advanced Boatmaster course. Almost 11,000 people enrolled in Coastguard Boating Education courses over the last 12 months, while 30,500 people completed the Safe Boating programme.
However, even with the best preparation, things can go wrong. That’s why a Coastguard membership gives a guarantee that no matter whether its a break down, a flat battery or someone on board gets sick, a rescue vessel, crewed by trained volunteers, will turn up and do all they can to get everyone home in one piece, free of charge.
Last year, Coastguard volunteers attended callouts involving more than 6900 people.
Here’s a reminder from Coastguard of the Boating Safety Code:
Lifejackets: Take them – wear them
Communications: Take two separate waterproof ways of communicating
Marine weather: New Zealand’s weather can be highly unpredictable. Check the local marine weather forecast before you go and expect both weather and sea state changes.
Avoid alcohol: Safe boating and alcohol do not mix.
Skipper responsibility: The skipper is responsible for the safety of everyone on board and for the safe operation of the boat. Stay within the limits of your vessel and your experience.
To sign up for a Coastguard membership visit coastguard.nz/membership.
To find out more and to enrol in a Coastguard Boating Education course, visit boatingeducation.org.nz.
