If you want to get a message across, make a splash – and ten splashes is even better.
To mark the start of New Zealand’s first Safer Boating Week, ten chief executives and senior leaders of organisations making up the National Pleasure Boat Safety Forum jumped into the cold, grey waters of Wellington Harbour – all wearing lifejackets, of course.
The leap was supervised by Superintendent Barry Taylor, Police's National Manager Response and Operations. Among the jumpers was Senior Sergeant Dave ‘Tex' Houston, Officer in Charge of Wellington Police Maritime Unit.
Dave says every summer, maritime police respond to numerous incidents involving people who are simply unprepared.
“All too often police are called out to help those who have not taken basic precautions to keep themselves safe on the water,” he says. “The simple message to boaties is to be prepared.
“This means making sure your boat is well maintained and properly equipped before you head out, including basics such as ensuring that you have enough petrol for the return trip, and having enough lifejackets of the correct size and type for all on board – including for the kids.
“Laying off the alcohol is another important step in staying safe.
“It's also important to check the weather and make sure you have at least two types of reliable communication on board in case of an emergency. This means that if you do get into trouble, we can rescue you.”
Maritime New Zealand director Keith Manch, who led the harbour jump, says the big splash aimed to highlight a very serious statistic – the average of ten deaths a year that could be prevented if lifejackets had been worn.
“New Zealanders love the water and the number of boaties has increased, with around a third of us going out on boats – so we all need to take boating safety seriously.
“We hope Safer Boating Week will remind all boaties and their families to pause before they go out on the water this summer and ensure they have done everything they need to do to enjoy a safe boating season: prep your boat – check your gear – know the rules.”
Safer Boating Week runs from 17-24 October. See www.saferboating.org.nz for more information, or follow these social media links:
https://twitter.com/@MaritimeNZ