Just in time for summer, our new Navigation Safety Bylaw 2024 comes into effect from 1 December.
While we have retained some of the provisions from the 2015 bylaw, the new version is set to better align Tasman with Nelson and Marlborough as well as national safer boating messaging. So, you will no longer have three different rules for life jackets between Motueka and Okiwi Bay.
The main changes are:
· Life jackets must be worn on smaller vessels, and on larger vessels if instructed to do so.
· All powered craft are to display an ID. For trailer vessels, this is the trailer rego or VHF call sign. Ask at your local service agent. Non-trailer vessels should have VHF call sign or a unique name.
· Paddle craft (kayak, stand up paddleboard or waka) that are more than 200m from the shore must be clearly visible to any other water users.
· All vessels must have two independent forms of communication – VHF radio, mobile phone, PLB, EPIRB, or flares. A whistle and your voice are fine within 200m of shore while being monitored.
· Larger vessels, and some commercial and passenger vessels, are required to transmit an accurate AIS signal when in Tasman waters.
· All smaller vessels must stay clear of large vessels (>500 gross tonnes) within three nautical miles of the Abel Tasman coast.
Our Harbourmaster team will be out and about to provide education on the bylaw and general boating safety.
Copies of the new bylaw and a helpful flyer (pdf 141 KB) can also be found at our service centres.