Queenstown Lakes harbourmaster Marty Black says Wanaka should have around-the-clock marine monitoring in place for next summer.
He told the Wanaka Community Board on Tuesday harbourmaster staffing levels at Wanaka might improve to offer a "24/7 on call" emergency service during a four-month period next summer.
Poor weather this summer meant boating activities were well down on traditional trends, he said.
No major incidents were reported at Wanaka during the holiday period, although Queenstown had a serious jet ski collision incident where one man was "left for dead by his mate", Mr Black said.
Only four offence notices were issued this year to people for not wearing compulsory lifejackets on the water.
Prior to Christmas, six notices were issued - a "pretty good" result, Mr Black said.
Despite the bad summer weather, whenever there had been a fine day, boating activity on the lake had soared, he said.
A campaign targeting stand-up paddle-boarders, many of who did not wear lifejackets, would take place, Mr Black said.
Paddle-boards came under a district council bylaw definition of a watercraft "vessel" and anyone using one was required to wear a lifejacket, or be liable for a $300 fine, he said.
