Environment Canterbury (ECan), the Christchurch-based regional council, was planning to introduce the new bylaws, which would cover the Waitaki River and lakes, from April 1.
That would have had the new rules in place for Easter, when there is usually much activity on the Waitaki lakes.
However, ECan navigation and safety manager Evan Walker said the legal process to introduce the new bylaws had not been completed because of the disruption to normal council operations caused by the earthquake in February.
The same applied to the introduction of increased bylaw infringement fees, which would have seen some doubled, from $150 to $300.
A report had been prepared for the commissioners' meeting today, which would recommend delaying the introduction of the bylaws and propose a new date, Mr Walker said. That date was still to be decided.
The bylaws had been prepared, with a draft being released last year for public comment and finalised by December, leaving only the legal procedures to be completed.
The bylaws will make wearing life jackets compulsory on boats 6m or less in length, with skippers facing a fine of $300 for each occupant not complying. Other changes were also proposed, including bylaws covering Lake Ruataniwha at Twizel.
• The wearing of life jackets on boats under 6m has been compulsory in the Queenstown Lakes district for two years and harbourmaster Marty Black said compliance was "pretty high". In the past six to eight months, about 20 infringement fines of $300 have been issued for not obeying the bylaw.
A reasonably significant fine was needed so people respected the bylaw, he said.
"Wearing life jackets has become automatic, like putting on a seat belt in a car. It's proven that life jackets save lives."
News of the bylaw had been spread by word of mouth, even to other Central Otago waterways such as Lake Dunstan, where such a bylaw was not in force.
Otago Regional Council acting harbourmaster Jeff Donaldson supported making the wearing of life jackets compulsory on vessels under 6m, and it was being included as part of a review of its navigation bylaws.
However, he questioned whether there should be a limit of 6m, pointing out many boats, particularly some bow-riders, were just over that and could carry a large number of people.
The Maritime New Zealand national rules require boat skippers to store life jackets on board where they are readily accessible, but they are only required to be worn when conditions are risky, such as in rough conditions or adverse weather, emergencies or where visibility is poor.
That applies to Lake Dunstan (administered through the Central Otago District Council) and Roxburgh and other water overseen by Maritime New Zealand.
However, there is pressure to change the national rules to make wearing life jackets compulsory on boats under 6m in length.
Life Savers
Life jacket regulations around the central South Island and the South:
Canterbury lakes and rivers (including Waitaki):
From April 1, compulsory on moving craft 6m or less; must be carried on craft 6m or more and worn when circumstances demand it.
Queenstown-Lakes (Wakatipu, Hawea and Wanaka and rivers):
Since 2009, compulsory on moving craft 6m or less; must be carried on craft 6m or more and worn when circumstances demand it.
Central Otago (lakes):
Life jackets on board and readily accessible for all occupants, to be worn in adverse conditions or emergencies.
Otago Regional Council (Otago and Karitane harbours):
Life jackets on board and readily accessible for all occupants, to be worn in adverse conditions or emergencies. Under review; likely to become compulsory.
Maritime NZ (all other lakes and rivers):
Life jackets on board and readily accessible for all occupants, to be worn in adverse conditions or emergencies.