KEY POINTS:
Alcohol consumption involved in 30 per cent of accidents, says boating manager Keep your speed down and don't drink and drive.
It's a message motorists are used to having drilled into them but it's one boaties are being urged to listen to, especially after the death of Manurewa fisherman Ioielu Faiao at the weekend.
Speaking to the Herald before the fatal accident on the Manukau Harbour, Jim Lott, Maritime New Zealand's manager of recreational boating, said 15 per cent of boating fatalities were a direct result of alcohol consumption.
Alcohol was also the cause of a further 15 per cent of non-fatal accidents.
"Nobody's saying you can't have a beer on a hot day, but it has to be kept to a minimum," Mr Lott said.
Although drinking and boating is not as common as it used to be, Maritime New Zealand still sees it too often.
If something goes badly wrong alcohol greatly reduces the chances of survival.
"By not drinking you're not only lowering your chances of an accident actually occurring, but if one does, the chances of it being fatal are less."
People who have been drinking become more disoriented when they enter the water, he said.
Teenage men are the biggest offenders, especially when there are girls nearby.
"They get boozed up and go faster and closer to the beach than they should, which is a bit of a worry. But they soon grow up."
Drinking isn't the only driving-related problem that appears on the waterways. People not knowing the rules and tempers flaring can also cause tension.
"Probably 90 per cent of people are actually very responsible and have a good working knowledge of the rules," Mr Lott said.
Being sensible with speed and knowing who gives way are basic things that every skipper should be aware of.
With more than 400,000 boats in New Zealand, the possibility of lengthy waiting times at popular spots are likely. And with the long wait comes the potential for tempers to boil over.
"Especially if a guy is taking hours to launch his boat. A little bit of rage can creep in there." But "water rage" was still uncommon, with the most complaints directed at people who don't show enough care.
Mr Lott urged people to keep a "respectful distance" because nothing was more annoying than being quietly anchored when someone roars past and "kicks up a big wake that rolls everyone around".
The best advice he could give someone who hasn't used their boat in a while is to get it thoroughly checked first.
"People can be a bit more relaxed about them [boats] than cars, so there is a level of complacency there. Don't just assume because it looks good it's all right."
A lifejacket is also compulsory. "A good one can cost up to $200 but they will save your life. They reduce the chances of dying to under 10 per cent."
