A boat safety programme has been well received by Southland schools.
Deputy harbourmaster Lyndon Cleaver said the programme had been a spectacular success. Lots of schools had taken up the offer and hundreds of children from all around the province learned about safety around boats.
''Children are talking about what they're learning and taking the safety messages back to their families. It's exactly what we want. It means people will be wiser and more safety-conscious around boats.''
This is the first year Environment Southland has offered the programme. Fourteen schools took part and six are on the waiting list.
Mr Cleaver said the programme taught a range of safety practice, from where to sit in a boat to how to behave in the water around them. Life jackets were also a focus.
This week he visited Takitimu Primary School, Knapdale School and Te Anau.
