Water Safety NZ and Fishing Coast to Coast

Fishing Coast to Coast editor Mike Rendle explains the ongoing relationship between WSNZ and the magazine.

One of the most satisfying parts of our job as owner, editors, and producers of Fishing Coast to Coast magazine is the relationships we develop with key people and organisations. Our attitude is that’s it not just about dollars, it’s about forming a partnership to maximise the value to both parties.

If that is the aim then we consider our working relationship with WSNZ to be an absolute success! We tale our industry responsibilities seriously, each issue we run a column on water safety that is written from a practical point of view, most times it will incorporate real life situations and events that we have experienced over our 40 years on the water. Dictating to people will never get the message across, giving them things to think about in an entertaining story will hold their attention.

We’ve taken that one step further, WSNZ have become one of the partners in our current and previous magazine boats. The current Surtees craft is resplendent in the WSNZ and Safe Fishing logos around boat ramps and tournaments. We always have plenty packs on board which we hand out to people we meet and talk to. The packs contain printed safety material as well as a back issue of the magazine, we also distribute the packs at boat shows where we exhibit.

Our other working arrangement with WSNZ is with our kids section , each issue we have a safety orientated competition with life jackets which has been very well received.

The relationship between Fishing Coast to Coast and WSNZ has gone from strength to strength over the last 3 years.

The most important question is of course – Does it work? Sure it does! When we have people talking to us about columns we have written and asking for more on certain subjects, then we know the message is getting out there.

We look forward to another year of just that…..

Michael Rendle, Editor Fishing Coast to Coast

Compulsory Carriage of Communications on Recreational Vessels

The National Pleasure Boat Safety Forum discussed this proposal at its May 2006 meeting.

Purpose of Document

To determine what “effective Communication” means in terms of small vessels and where they operate. A number of factors need to be taken into account in making this determination, including;

• What equipment would be needed;

• Which boats would need to carry that equipment;

• Areas where the equipment would need to be carried;

• Whether any vessels would be exempted.

Means of Communication

A significant number of fatalities continue to occur due to the inability of distressed persons to be able to summon aid following an immersion accident such as capsize. While some form of communication equipment is carried it is often rendered inoperative by the accident that places lives in danger.

Any means of effective communication that could be included in a mandatory regime would need to fulfil the following criteria.

• Operable after immersion;

• Available and useable after capsize;

• Practical on small craft including dinghies and kayaks;

• An accepted means of communicating distress.

The following methods of communication meet those criteria.

• EPIRB;

• Hand held VHF (waterproof or sealed plastic bag);

• Cell phone (waterproof or sealed plastic bag);

• Red hand held flare;

• Orange smoke flare;

• Waterproof torch;

• Whistle;

• Raising and lowering of the arms.

All these methods have limitations. Hence there is no one method that is suitable for all distress situations and the effectiveness of each also varies depending on the circumstances.

NZ: Proposed Model for Legislation for Regulatory Impact Statement

Developing legislation most suitable for New Zealand will require extensive consultation with the recreational boating industry and public. This proposal considers primarily the area in which vessels operate. It includes the use of water-protected cell phones in areas where the coverage is suitable. It also recognises that in vessels over 8 metres in length, capsizes and similar events are very rare occurrences and therefore installed radio equipment provides effective communication.

Proposed Model Minimum Requirements

1. Vessels operating within 200m of shore (or on rivers and lakes) by day where there can be reasonable expectation of being seen in case of distress. Vessels that are tenders to larger craft and operating by day between the craft and shore or remain in sight of the parent vessel and where there can be reasonable expectation of being seen in case of distress.
   Arms signal
   While operating between sunset and sunrise
   Waterproof torch

2. Vessels operating beyond 200m but within 3 miles of shore where there is reasonable expectation of being seen in case of distress. Day or night.
   Red hand held flare or water protected cell phone, plus waterproof torch
   Where there is not reasonable expectation of being seen:
   Water protected hand held VHF radio or, water protected cell phone, plus water proof torch

3. Vessels operating beyond 3 miles from shore but within 12 miles:
   Where cell phone coverage is effective
   Water protected cell phone, plus 2 red hand flares, plus waterproof torch
   Where limited or no cell phone coverage
   Water protected cell phone, plus 2 red hand flares, plus waterproof torch

4. Vessels operating beyond 12 miles but within 30 miles of shore
   406 type EPIRB plus hand held VHF radio plus 2 red hand flares plus waterproof torch

5. Vessels operating beyond 30 miles from shore
   406 type EPIRB plus hand held VHF radio plus 2 red hand flares plus waterproof torch.

Exemptions

When vessels are taking part in an organised regatta, training, ceremonial or similar activity and are accompanied by a patrol boat, no communication equipment is required.

Vessels whose overall length exceeds 8 metres may, in lieu of a hand held VHF radio substitute a fixed or installed VHF radio or MF/HF radio.

In all cases a 406 EPIRB may be carried in lieu of a cell phone and/or VHF radio.

WSNZ supports the recommendations proposed in the paper and believes that legislation supporting the requirements outlined will increase safety for recreational boaties.

National Boat Show

Saturday 12th August saw WSNZ ambassador Pio Terei and WSNZ Coordinator Mark Haimona feature on stage at the National Boat Show. Using humour, competitions and demonstrations the team delivered serious safety messages in a friendly and fun way.

Their ability to capture an audience is a credit to them both and we are lucky to have such outstanding people working for our organisation.

As well as entertaining from the stage Pio and Mark also supported WSNZ member organisations Maritime NZ and Coastguard Boating Education with their activities at the show. Feedback from all involved has been extremely positive and we plan to continue working collectively with these like minded organisations to ensure the most effective delivery of our important messages.