Haumaru Moana all about making sure of safety out on the water

The bright orange was hard to miss at the A&P Show as Harbourmaster Peter Buell promoted safer boating. He will be at city and district boat ramps this summer with information for anyone heading out on the water. Picture supplied

If you see a bright orange gazebo by the boat ramps this summer, go and have a chat.

It means Harbourmaster Peter Buell and the Māori Wardens are close by to ensure good information is readily available for anyone going out on the water.

They’ll have some cool boating safety giveaways on hand as well.

This week is Safer Boating Week – Haumaru Moana.

Harbourmaster Peter Buell kicked it off with two full days at the A&P Show chatting to the community.

“We don’t have the best statistics in New Zealand when it comes to drownings. The more people we can get to understand water safety, the more we can keep improving those numbers.”

Peter brings a realistic and educational approach to everything safety through conversations.

“We don’t want to ruin anyone’s day before they’re off to go fishing — we just want to make sure everyone comes home safely.

“If you don’t have the right size lifejacket, there’ll be ones we can lend you for the day at the council office on Fitzherbert Street, and at the boat ramp as well.”

In the New Year, the water safety team will head up the Coast to deliver safety messages directly to boaties at popular areas like Uawa/Tolaga Bay, Tokomaru Bay, Waipiro Bay, Ruatorea, Tikitiki, Te Araroa and Wharekahika.

They will also be at some schools. If a school would like a visit from the Haumaru team send an email to comms@gdc.govt.nz.

Key things to remember for every boat trip:

■ Be a responsible skipper (me kāpene takohanga koe) Get YOU and YOUR crew home

■   Kia ū pai KOE me ĀU kaumoana ki te kāinga)

■  Know the five ways to be safe on the water

— Lifejackets on

— Two waterproof ways to call for help

— Check the marine forecast

— No alcohol

— Be a good skipper

■  Kia mōhio i ngā tohu e rima kia haumaru koe ki te Wai

— Whakamaua tō koti whakaora

— Kia rua ngā taputapu ārai wai hei karanga āwhina

— Hihiratia ngā tohu huarere moana

— Kaua e inu waipiro

— Me kāpene pai koe

■ Always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to get back

■ Inā haere koe ki whea, ā, āwhea koe ka hoki mai, pānui ki tētahi atu