Summer boating safety to be promoted

Council has received $15,000 to support safer boating.

Maritime NZ has announced a total of $743,000 in funding to support 29 programmes around the country including Marlborough Boating Safety workshops.

These focus on theory and practical boat safety for recreational craft users. On average 18 people a year die in recreational craft incidents.

“Getting out on the water is a key part of New Zealand life, and the recreational craft sector want people to not only enjoy the water, but be well informed about the risks, understand what can go wrong, and to come home safe,” said Maritime NZ Director Kirstie Hewlett.

Through the grant funding Maritime NZ looks to work with partners who can reach recreational craft users, particularly high risk users, and deliver initiatives that can have a real impact in reducing harm on the water.

A key requirement of the funding is that applicants demonstrate how their initiatives delivered the outcomes in the Recreational Craft Strategy, developed by the Safer Boating Forum.
Go to the Safer Boating Forum on the Maritime New Zealand website

“The recreational sector is broad, from stand-up paddle boards to high-powered motorboats. This funding goes to organisations across the sector who have highly skilled and talented people who want to improve the knowledge of those out in the water,” said Ms Hewlett.

Funding will go to a range of different councils as well as national bodies.