Maritime New Zealand announced $844,249 in funding for 22 safer boating initiatives throughout New Zealand with the aim to reduce recreational boating fatalities and injuries.
Accordingly, Maritime NZ Director, Keith Manch commented that the Authority will gladly provide the funding, which is drawn from the Fuel Excise Duty (FED) on petrol, reflecting that boaties contribute to this fund through their activities.
It’s an investment – teach someone to boat safely and you’re protecting their family and friends too
… Keith Manch added.
The funding includes some innovative approaches to promoting safety on the water including jet ski training for people in the upper South Island, greater engagement with boaties through the Old4New lifejacket upgrade campaign and expansion of community ‘lifejacket hubs’, where people can loan a lifejacket for a gold coin donation.
Mr Manch added that a collaborative approach is being taken with $80,000 allocated to the on-water No Excuses campaign with 18 councils participating. The campaign sees Maritime NZ and harbourmasters interacting with boaties to promote lifejacket wearing and safe speed.
In the meantime, the grants support boating education for Pasifika communities through Coastguard Boating Education’s ground-breaking Folau Malu programme, which has seen community members complete a Coastguard NZ day skipper course. The course continues to go from strength to strength with huge demand.
