Rena debris alert
/we will be monitoring the situation at Kulim park, while we are teaching we will be available to clear debris out the way of sailors and windsurfers using Kulim Park.
For info re the wider Harbour and bop please read on...
Boaties advised to stay off the water
Bay of Plenty Regional Council advises boaties to stay off the water due to the large amount of debris and containers in the coastal waters following the Rena breaking up.
Any boaties who head out should be extremely vigilant and aware of the risk of hitting floating and submerged items.
The Harbour Master has established a cautionary area in the western Bay of Plenty, which includes the area from Waihī Beach to Mayor Island to Maketū.
All vessels in this area are recommended to navigate with extreme caution.
All vessels should proceed at slow speed, keep a good lookout and travel through the area in daylight only. The debris field is extensive and its movement is unpredictable and could extend further.
The current Rena exclusion zone remains in place until further notice – a three nautical mile radius around Astrolabe Reef. This will be reviewed on a daily basis and may be extended as more information is collected.
Anyone found in the exclusion zone without the express permission of the harbourmaster may face fines or prosecution.
Regional Council has been advised that beaches have not been closed, however swimmers are also urged to stay out of the water due to the large amount of debris washing up.
The Port of Tauranga continues to be fully operational and is communicating directly with ships coming into and exiting the harbour around navigational safety.
It is important to notify Maritime New Zealand immediately, by calling 0800 645 774 if you see oil in the water, or 0800 333 771 if you see containers or debris coming ashore.
For more media information contact:
Community Relations Manager Bronwyn Campbell on 021 287 9380
Elements Tauranga Base is an excellent location for instructor training, this is down to our instructors and trainers continually teach a range of watersports to all levels and group sizes. Passing on the depth of knowledge is made easy as Tauranga Harbour has a mix of everything close to hand.
Going boating doesn't get any better than this, the trees showing us its just the start of another great kiwi summer. Best spent on the water sailing, windsurfing or just getting amongst it in a powerboat ...
LAKE TAUPO
NEW PWC (JetSki) Registration
Under the Lake Taupo Navigation Safety Amendment Bylaw 2011, all personal watercraft (PWC) or Jetski used in or on the waters of the Lake must be registered with the Harbourmaster or a regional council that also registers personal watercrafts (e.g. Waikato).
You can register your jetski at the Lake Taupō Harbourmaster's Office or download the forms from www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/pwc and follow the instructions.
The registration fee is a one off payment of $35.00. If you require a numbered sticker for your jetski there will be an additional cost of $15.00, otherwise you will be issued a number that you will be required to display on your vessel (specifications below).
Numbers must be at least 90mm in height by 50mm wide
Numbers must be clearly legible
Numbers must be displayed on both sides of the vessel above the waterline
Numbers may be in black or white font
If you have an official NZJSBA allocated race number this maybe used as your registration number also.
Further Information
Further information is available from the Harbourmaster, Phone: (07) 378-7176, Email: harbourmaster@dia.govt.nz or PO Box 256, Taupo.
New rules for navigational safety on Lake Taupo will come into force on 30 September 2011. The amendments will introduce registration for jetskis; a requirement for certain types of vessels to be clearly identified; a requirement (if the skipper deems necessary) to wear life jackets on board recreational craft under 6 metres; and new regulations requiring compulsory wearing of life jackets for those using a jetski.
In addition to the Bylaw changes there will also be two swim areas at Kuratau and Te Ti Point.
The new Bylaw amendments provide a new set of regulations that are more effective for navigation safety purposes and are aimed at ensuring public safety on the Lake. These changes are consistent with similar Bylaw changes introduced by other Regional Councils such as the Waikato Regional Council.
Twenty eight submissions were received on the proposals to make amendments to the Bylaw. Submitters in general showed strong support for the amendments.
When the Bylaw comes into force after 30 September 2011, the initial focus will be on education, except where transgressors are repeat offenders.
To begin with, safety patrols and enforcement officers will be informing boat operators about the new amendments to the Bylaw, once the education period is over, infringement notices will be issued to offenders.
Learning about the patrol boats is best done on the water, today we ran a free one for TYPBC volunteers and up and coming dinghy coaches.
Covering topics from boat prep and launching to core skills like parking, rescues and managing fleets of sailors and windsurfers.
Tauranga Harbour has to be my favorite place to run powerboat courses. The Harbour has examples of everything the new boaties needs to see and experience in order to be safe and knowledgable on the water.
Here we are learning about basic navigation markers and history at the same time.
