A trial of water laser speed guns is showing too many boaties are breaking speeding rules in Marlborough, Maritime New Zealand informed. Marlborough Harbourmaster, Luke Grogan, said it was disappointing that, in a two-hour trial last week, 10 recreational boaties were caught speeding.
“Compliance with speed rules was not great,” Mr Grogan said. “We get lots of emails and phone calls complaining about boaties speeding close to shore and in busy areas. Speeders are unhappy when we catch them but their speed puts children, swimmers, divers and other boats at risk.”
Nationwide, the five knot rule is in place within 200 metres of shore and divers, and within 50 metres of swimmers and other boats. Maritime NZ Acting Director, Nigel Clifford, said speeders will get infringement notices, with a fine of $200.
In addition, he informed that Maritime NZ is funding the trial and working with the Marlborough Harbourmaster to show how speed guns could be used by other councils. Mr. Grogan noted the speed guns are a good additional tool, as they give solid evidence of a boat’s speed and save a lot of desk work.
“The trial is going well,” he said. “The speed guns have good range and good accuracy, and other councils are keen to see the results we are getting.”
