Push for new law to stop drunk boaties

Otago Regional Council harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook stands by a wharf at the Otago Yacht Club....
Otago Regional Council harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook stands by a wharf at the Otago Yacht Club. PHOTO: CHRISTINE O'CONNOR
Dunedin's harbourmaster and the regional council are campaigning for an "obvious gap" in the law concerning alcohol and recreational boating to be filled.

Under the Maritime Transport Act there is nothing prohibiting skippers operating recreational vessels under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Otago Regional Council harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook said this gave him no tools to deal with boating incidents that might or might not involve drugs or alcohol consumption, which concerned him greatly.

"I feel that the law should be aligned with the road scenario and be operated similarly.

"It's difficult as there is no current regulation around drink-driving on recreational activity on vessels, which needs to be looked at seriously at a national level."

He planned to engage with Maritime New Zealand on the matter at an annual harbourmasters meeting in July.

Since he started in the role in October, there were "one or two" noteworthy incidents involving alcohol on the harbour.

"It appears it is fairly common for members of the community to operate recreational craft in conjunction with alcohol consumption.

"Drink-driving on any vessel has the same implications as you would have from driving a vehicle. It will lead to accidents and incidents from minor to major fatality."

Regional councillors have decided to raise and discuss the issue with central government, and regional council chief executive Sarah Gardner began this in a meeting with Maritime New Zealand last week.

Cr Bryan Scott said the move was about the council identifying some "obvious gaps" in maritime rules and then consulting our communities and Maritime New Zealand to determine a "sensible path forward".

"Basically, if you drink and boat you are a bloody idiot. We are endeavouring to do our bit."

Ms Gardner said the discussion arose during the conversation proposing new harbour bylaws, which did not cover the relationship between drinking and skippering.

"It is an area that is largely unregulated for recreational craft. Skippers are responsible not only for the safety of those around them but for complying with bylaws and expectations that protect our waterways and users of the water."

Maritime New Zealand industry support national adviser Baz Kirk said that while there was nothing in the law specifically regarding drinking and operating recreational vessels, the Maritime Transport Act did prohibit "dangerous activity" involving recreational boats.

This was recently used by the Marlborough District Council to prosecute intoxicated boaties, he said.

He did not respond to a question over whether Maritime New Zealand was investigating a specific law concerning drinking and recreational boating.

Comments

I think for once the Aussies have got it right! In Sydney it is mandatory to have at least 1 boat licence holder in charge of every boat and the harbour police rigorously enforce that. In NZ we do nothing and wonder why there are so many preventable boating accidents.

 

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