New maritime rules for weed-clearing boats

Operators of weed-clearing boats, used in shallow and slow-moving streams, must be able to navigate by compass and identify container ships by their lights under new Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) rules.

The Hawke's Bay Regional Council's Works Group employs three operators for its two boats. It has cost the group $3350 for the three employees to gain their local launch operator certificates.

The council was told in October last year that operators needed the certificates.

They have attended a two-day course, sat exams, proved that they have had two years of boating experience, undergone stringent eye tests and gained advanced first aid certificates.

The one-man boats - 4m long and 1.8m wide - must carry radio locator beacons or smoke flares, first-aid kits the size of small briefcases and two 2kg fire extinguishers.

The boats are used by the council on dozens of streams, rivers and drains across the Heretaunga plains to clear weeds.

Further reading: nzherald.co.nz/marine