A boatie fishing in the main channel of Whangārei Harbour forced a large cargo vessel to take evasive action, and landed the boatie a $200 fine.
A boatie fishing in the main channel of Whangārei Harbour forced a large cargo vessel to take evasive action, and landed the boatie a $200 fine.
A fishing trip in the harbour proved expensive for a Whangārei boatie, who was fined $200 for anchoring in the main channel, forcing a large cargo vessel to take emergency action to avoid a collision.
Vessels choosing to anchor in main shipping channels, particularly in Whangārei, are unnecessarily placing themselves and others at risk.
"There are still occasional issues with small recreational vessels in the Bay of Islands and Whangārei getting in the way of large ships," Regional Harbourmaster Jim Lyle said.
The warning comes after a recent incident that saw a large ship having to take action to narrowly avoid collision with a recreational fisherman in Whangārei Harbour.
Lyle said these incidents are potentially very serious when they involve large ships negotiating the harbour from or to the deep-water jetties and wharves operated by Refining NZ, Northport, and the Portland Cement Works.
"Just recently, we had some people on a launch anchored in a critical point of the channel and this guy was right in the middle. They just carried on fishing, thinking the ship could go around," Lyle said.
"They're keenly fishing away in the main channel and they're oblivious to the fact that a large ship is bearing down on them."
Because the ships involved are so big, with deep draft, they are limited to the marked deep-water channel and need the whole width of the channel to manoeuvre, he said.
All vessels under 500 Gross Tonnage (GT) must give way to and keep out of the way of any vessel over 500 GT. These ships also have limited visibility from the bridge to directly under the bow, so small boats can disappear when they get too close.
Northland Harbourmaster Jim Lyle is warning fishers to be careful where they stop after a near miss in Whangārei Harbour.
Given these limitations, Lyle said smaller vessels risk being hit or forcing the larger vessels to leave the marked navigation channels, the impacts of which can be devastating. It is an offence to anchor in the main channel in Whangārei Harbour.
While boat users can be fined $200 for anchoring in a channel and $300 for impeding a vessel weighing over 500 tonnes, Lyle said he would much rather people simply moved out of the way if they see large ships approaching.
"It's fine if they spot it and get out of the way but it's the ones that carry on fishing and think the ships can go around them that cause issues. Particularly in Whangārei, the ships are restricted to the channel ... Don't anchor in the main shipping channels."
"If you are fishing near a main channel and you see a ship coming, make sure you move well clear of the main channel and get out of the way."
Meanwhile, a 38-foot yacht with four people on board grounded on Mair Bank, at the entrance to Whangārei Harbour, before 9am on Wednesday morning.
Lyle said the skipper had to wait until high tide at about 6pm before they were lifted off the bank.
Lyle said with summer fast approaching, boat-users should also remember the following:
· Ensure you are using your navigation lights when on the water at night
· If you are on a vessel under six metres, all people on board must wear a lifejacket
