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There have been at least 18 near misses involving Cook Strait ferries and other boats over the past year, Maritime New Zealand figures show.
The figures, released to The Dominion Post under the Official Information Act, show most incidents were attributed to a lack of safety displayed by people operating pleasure craft.
While none ended in a collision, all were investigated by Maritime NZ and some were reported to police.
Marlborough District Council duty harbourmaster Dave Baker said such incidents were usually caused by boaties not having a good understanding of maritime rules.
Maritime NZ investigated 32 incidents involving ferries between March 2007 and late February 2008, including some which related to minor mechanical faults.
One of the incidents where boats allegedly got too close to each other involved the navy vessel Te Mana and the Kaitaki ferry.
The Te Mana passed by the bow of the Kaitaki at a distance of about 550 metres in the Tory Channel.
The Maritime NZ papers showed the Te Mana skipper was comfortable with the manoeuvre, but the skipper of the ferry considered it too close.
The most recent incident reported to Maritime NZ was in late February, when a dinghy crewed by a boy passed within five metres of Bluebridge ferry Monte Stello's stern.
The ferry's master thought the situation was going to involve a collision.
Toll NZ spokeswoman Sue Foley said the company, which operates three ferries, had worked with boating organisations to try and improve water safety.
- NZPA
