It's all about safety at sea

By ROBIN BAILEY

The On-the-Water Boat Show at the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland from March 16 to 18 is mostly about marketing things maritime.

Organised by the Boating Industry Association, the show is a sellout. No berths are left in the water and every metre of the pavilion space is sold.

But the show is not just about doing boating business. Saturday, March 17 will be a full day devoted to safety at sea.

The successful formula created for the Safe Summer 2000 campaign that ran before and during the America's Cup has been revived. The strategy is simple: get all the main players to work together to deliver a message that's complementary.

The Coastguard Boating Education Service, Auckland Volunteer Coastguard and WaterSafe Auckland have combined with the Police Maritime Unit to coordinate the exercise. BIA members both at the show and at Westhaven are supporting the day with a range of safety initiatives.

Shirley Butenko, the national marketing manager of the Coastguard Boating Education Service, and Sandy Harrop, WaterSafe Auckland executive officer, have put the programme together.

Show patrons can pick up a Safety Passport and join a Marine Safety Trail that takes in the Safety Education stand at the boat show, then heads toward Westhaven, getting the passport stamped from participating outlets on the way. The trail ends at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, with a special chance to view the America's Cup up close.

Says Butenko: "We have put the programme together to emphasise the importance of acquiring a degree of basic knowledge, and having the right safety equipment aboard before putting to sea. Far too many people are still jumping in boats completely unaware of safety basics.

"People are completely ignorant of the need to carry even the minimum equipment necessary to ensure they get home again. We hope to be able to bring that message to new boat-owners particularly."

The safety programme will run from 10 am to 4 pm. Participants will be able to snack at a sausage-sizzle midway through the course, and get a drink or a meal at the Yacht Squadron when they hand in their passports.

Taking part are:

Coastguard Boating Education Service: Boating courses and information.

Auckland Volunteer Coastguard: Search and Rescue information, membership drive.

WaterSafe Auckland: Making children safe in the water. Boating safety quizzes will be held on the half-hour on the WAI stand, with prizes of Fullers' cruises and Boating New Zealand subscriptions.

Safety at Sea: Lifejacket testing with prizes for the oldest/worst jacket presented, plus safety equipment demonstrations.

TransPacific Marine: Charts, books, course materials.

Marine Electronics World: VHF marine radios, information about call-signs.

Power and Marine: Engine options for bigger boats.

The Gear Locker: Nautical clothing.

Police Maritime Unit: Police dogs in action, plus boat display.

Passports confirming that the Safety Trail has been completed will go into a draw that carries prizes from participating companies with a total value of more than $3000. Winners will be notified at the end of the show, on Monday, March 18.

Lifejackets and buoyancy aids of all types will be given particular emphasis during the promotion.

Says Lloyd Klee, of Safety at Sea: "The dog lifejackets used for the picture are not a gimmick, although unlike those for humans they are not compulsory, even for police dogs.

"More and more people who take canine pets boating want to know they will be safe. In fact many of our clients seem more concerned about getting a jacket that fits the pooch than they are about themselves or the kids."