Bay Harbour: April 05, 2017

Wednesday April 5 2017
Your Local Views
Latest Christchurch news at www.
.kiwi
BAY HARBOUR
PAGE 11
New identification rules
• By Gary Manch, navigational
safety officer, Lyttelton
Pirate’s Corner
I ALWAYS find it a struggle
when we change over from long
summer days to the start of
autumn.
When we put our clocks back
it is the final nail in the coffin for
summer, and we start the trek
into winter.
As Easter approaches – the
last long weekend before winter
sets in – I am pleased to report
that we have had a great summer
in terms of boating behaviour
with very few serious incidents
reported to me.
Let’s not slack off now. Don’t
spoil the great record to date –
be careful, follow the Navigation
Safety Rules and local bylaws,
and simply be courteous to other
boaties out there.
With the end of the season
approaching, one thing I would
like you to plan in over the
winter is to get your boat upto-date
to comply with the new
identification rules put in place
under the Canterbury Regional
Council Navigation Safety Bylaw
2016 part 20.
To put this in the simplest
terms, any power boat or jet ski
that is towed on a trailer, must
have the registration number of
the trailer displayed on the vessel
(letters/numbers to be at least
90mm in height), visible above
the water line on both sides
of the vessel. The registration
number must be visible to the
naked eye from a distance of at
least 50m.
Any good signwriter will be
able to supply lettering and, if
you require it, put them on your
vessel for you.
There are some exceptions to
this – if you have a current MNZ
or foreign authority number,
belong to a sporting body approved
by the Harbourmaster, or
have the vessel’s VHF call sign
displayed then you will already
comply. Or if you are visiting
Canterbury from another region
and meet their identification
requirements, you are all good.
Read part 20 of the Navigation
Safety bylaw 2016. This will advise
you of all the identification requirements
depending on the type
and length of vessel you own.
I strongly suggest you check
out the whole bylaw at https://
ecan.govt.nz/do-it-online/harbourmasters-office/recreationalboating/.
I am always happy to
answer any questions you may
have on this or any other boating
matter. Best way to find me
is by email to gary.manch@ecan.
govt.nz.
So why so much emphasis on
getting ID on your boat? Simple
answer: while 99 per cent of you
out there are great boaties and
comply with the rules, the onr
per cent who don’t need to be
identified so we can take appropriate
action to ensure everyone’s
safety. Having an identification
system allows enforcement officers
to follow up complaints and
take appropriate action against
the person offending, be it by way
of education or other stronger
measures such as fines.
Anecdotally, where identification
is in place, good behaviour
increases. It’s a no-brainer really.
Readers respond to a story
in last week’s Bay Harbour
News about freedom
camping still being a
problem in Lyttelton
Gill Hubert – “There are
insufficient sites for campers to
go,” Mr Maynard said. Are you
kidding me? Go to the many
campgrounds in and around
Canterbury. Bludgers.
Jackie Richardson – So
put up a block of facilities. Toilets,
coin showers, and kitchen.
More tourists more money.
Sally Cammock – At least
it’s in or near the bin.
Pamela Neil – Make it illegal
or stop whinging.
The first stage of the
Rapanui-Shag Rock
Cycleway, which will
run from Ferrymead to
the central city, has to
be re-done because the
concrete laid was not up
to standard
Kel Mitchelle – You had
one job.
Maria Quinney – Shocking,
get it right.
Karene Smith – Please
build these as pedestrian and
shared cycleways. Some already
built are absolutely impractical.
Sawyers Arms Rd/Main
North Rd has high kerbs and
encroaches into parking and the
left turning lane. Stupid. Also
trucks on Sawyers Arms Rd will
be more prevalent carrying volumes
of materials to sites for the
Northern Motorway construction.
Cyclists here no way.
Steve Burge – The whole
city is a joke with these so called
town planners. Look at St Asaph
St, better off being one lane, at
least it would flow better.
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