Boaties warned as silly season arrives

The biggest single safety precaution was checking the weather forecast. Photo / Thinkstock

For the coastguard, water safety groups, police and search and rescue units, the silly season starts at Labour Weekend.

After a winter of cabin fever, the first of the spring/summer season holidays often sees people drag out the boat and - despite endless public education campaigns - take risks.

Search and Rescue (SAR) co-ordinator for Northland, Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe says that year after year the same behaviour sits behind most boating mishaps - which is "frustrating, desk banging stuff".

"As we're getting warmer weather after you've had a wet winter, the boat's been sitting in the shed, people seem hellbent on getting out on the water. They don't always check the weather, they don't check the boat ... they just think it's warmer, it's time to be out there."

Mr Metcalfe said the checklist people should always apply was not complicated. It was simply a matter of common sense.

The biggest single safety precaution was checking the weather forecast, he said.

"They should tell people where they're going, when they think they'll be back, check the fuel situation, have lifejackets for everyone on board, and wear them, and have two means of communication, with cellphones kept in a plastic bag or watertight container."

The latest was Whangarei man Garry William Pitman, 57, who died while scuba diving in the Waikuku Beach area, near North Cape, on October 14.

Whangarei Coastguard president Dave Gray said it was ironic that in the week before the inaugural national Safer Boating Week, which ends today, in the space of five days the local coastguard had seven call-outs. Before that cluster, call-outs were well down on last year's number, he said.

Often people did not take care over "winterising" their boats, then doing the kind of engine and body maintenance needed before putting them back in the water, Mr Gray said.

"They crank them up, away she goes and they get out on the water and bang!"

Safer Boating Week was timed for the lead-up to Labour Weekend.

Water Safety NZ and Coastguard northern region are urging Northlanders to heed safety messages whether they go out swimming, fishing, diving or snorkelling.

Northland's drowning toll so far this year stands at five.

In the last year, coastguard volunteers in the Bay of Islands, Hokianga, Houhora, North Kaipara, Tutukaka, Whangarei, Whangaroa and Whangaruru have: responded to 187 calls for help; brought 461 people home to safety; and dedicated 35,306 hours to saving lives, training and fundraising.