Harbourmaster

Harbour issues

• Recreational vessel incidents
• Kite boarding
• Recreational and Commercial Incidents
• Yacht racing buoys
• Wakes

Recreational vessel incidents

The summer period saw a significant number of recreational vessels sink or become stranded. In all the incidents the vessels foundered on well marked and charted rocks. Injuries to the crew of vessels was reported as relatively minor. Pollution from such incidents was a growing concern with larger launches carrying several thousand litres of diesel fuel.

A boating course, provided by organisations like Coastguard Boating Education, are excellent at increasing the nautical knowledge and expertise of boaties.

Kite boarding

The recent north east winds have seen the North Shore beaches popular with kite boarders. Several members of the public have raised concerns with regards the speed of some of the boards close to the shore and amongst swimmers.

The rules applicable to this sport, being the same as those for windsurfers, jetskis, yachts or powerboats: 

• within 200m of a vessel displaying flag A (diving) - 5 knots
• inside 50m from a person or another vessel - 5 knots.

The Harbourmaster's office liaise with kite board user groups to promote self regulation amongst users. Whilst enforcement action is taken, the user groups have a strong role in self policing. Should you have concerns at any time please contact the Harbourmaster duty officer 09 362 0397 ext 0.

Kite users comment and feedback on several web forums including www.kiteforum.co.nz.

Recreational and Commercial Incidents

There have been several incidents involving recreational craft on the region's waters recently:

• gas carrier, engine failure. A gas carrier crossing the Manukau Harbour Bar suffered multiple engine failures. The vessel made safe water after one hour
• recreational vessel sinking. A recreational vessel sunk in the vicinity of Shag Island (eastern Waiheke). There were two fatalities. The incident is under investigation by Police and Maritime New Zealand
• recreational vessels collision. A recreational yacht motoring near North Head was in collision with an anchored recreational vessel. The collision was in calm conditions with good visibility. The yachts skipper did not see the anchored vessel. The skipper of the anchored vessel was not displaying any day shapes as prescribed in Maritime Rule 22.

Yacht racing buoys

The first of a series of harbour racing buoys will be in position on the Waitemata Harbour shortly. The buoys have been funded by the Auckland Regional Council and project managed by the Harbourmaster's' office on behalf of the AYBA and yacht clubs.

The position of the buoys can be seen on the Harbour Racing Buoys chart.

The GPS co-ordinates for the Harbour Racing Buoys:

Wakes

An increase in the number of large, fast, recreational craft is causing authorities some concern. The wakes of these fast craft can pose a serious threat to small craft, to people on the foreshore, and particularly to people working on or underneath wharves, on moorings, on barges or conducting towing or dredging operations. Some overseas studies also show that wakes can accelerate coastal erosion.

Maritime Rules state that a recreational vessel's wake shall not endanger the safety of any other person or vessel. Vessels whose wakes do endanger others are liable and can be prosecuted.