People in small boats on Waitaki lakes and rivers are being
advised to practice getting used to wearing life jackets this
summer before a new bylaw is introduced on April 1.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) is introducing a new Navigation
bylaw covering all Canterbury waterways, including those in
the Waitaki, which will make wearing life jackets compulsory
on all moving boats 6m and under.
Before then, it is also reviewing its infringement notices
fines for breaking the bylaw, including the new life jackets
rule, which could see them increase substantially from the
common fine of $150 at present.
The other difference is under the present bylaw, skippers get
one infringement notice fine, while under the new bylaw, they
will get one notice for every person on board not wearing a
lifejacket - potentially up to $1000 or more.
The new bylaw has already been approved by ECan's
commissioners, but this summer the old one, which does not
have a compulsory life jackets rule, will be in operation.
Recently, Otago Southland coroner David Crerar, in a finding
on the death of a Gore man in Lake Onslow, said everyone who
used a small boat, no matter their age, or how calm the water
was, should wear a lifejacket.
The new bylaw comes in from April 1, giving ECan time for
publicity, to change signs, bring out new brochures, look at
infringement fines and, if increased, gazette them.
ECan navigation and safety manager Ewan Walker said yesterday
when contacted, ECan would be giving the new bylaw publicity
approaching its introduction, and would step that up at the
start of next summer's boating season.
But he suggested this summer people should get used to
obeying the compulsory wearing of life jackets on moving
boats under 6m in preparation for the new bylaw.
"Wearing life jackets saves lives - that's a well recognised
fact," he said.
Mr Walker said ECan's bylaw on life jackets went further than
some introduced by other local authorities, including the
proposed national rule and that in Queenstown Lakes.
The ECan rule is more stringent by making it compulsory to
wear a lifejacket on any moving boat 6m and under, while the
others gave the skipper some discretion by stipulating they
should available and readily accessibly, but worn when
warranted by river flows, rough water, adverse weather,
adverse visibility or emergencies when there was an increased
risk to people on board.
Once the new bylaw is introduced, ECan's approach to
enforcement on a first offence has been education rather than
issuing enforcement notices, unless people are repeat
offenders.
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