Queenstown Lakes harbourmaster Marty Black wanted to remind boat users there was 4pm cut-off time for boats travelling faster than five knots on the river at this time of the year.
Complaints about boat users exceeding the five-knot speed limit after 4pm had been made in the past month, he said.
Some parts of the river had a five-knot limit at all times.
"Over a few nights we’ve had a few complaints of boats still on the river past the cut-off time which is 4pm at the moment," he said.
Most of the complaints were about jet-boats near the Albert Town bridge he said.
"We usually get a few at this time of the year just with the daylight hours increasing, it’s tempting for the boaties to be on the river past 4pm."
From September 25 the cut-off time will extend to 6pm.
Signs along the river, including a large one at the Albert Town recreation reserve boat ramp, informed boat users about the rules, but they were ignored by some users, he said.
"Most people are pretty good but a few push the limit a bit and we just want to remind them there are rules they have to follow."
At the last review on the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s navigation safety bylaw, Mr Black proposed extending the cut-off time during the daylight savings period, but it was not changed.
"During the summer it doesn’t get dark until about 9 or 10 o’clock so it seems a bit harsh to have a 6pm cut-off time, but that’s what the community wanted."
Boats could still be on the river past 6pm but they had to keep their speed to under five knots which effectively ruled out jet-boats, Mr Black said.
Infringement notices could be issued to boat users who ignored the rules.
No infringement notices had been issued from the recent complaints, Mr Black said.
