Safety Policies
Safety
We want you to have great experiences in your Jet Boat but, more importantly, we want our members to return safely at the end of the day. Part of this has been the development of Jet Boating New Zealand Boating Policies:
River Wires
When fencing wires are encountered the following policy applies:
If the wires are deemed to be a Navigational Safety threat to any river user’s, the wires in question must be cut at both ends and removed from the riverbed. If it is not possible to cut the wire’s they must be marked with coloured tape.
In both instances the Administration Manager of Jet Boating New Zealand will be notified of the issue by the trip organiser and given the location of the wires by GPS coordinates if possible and he or she will notify the landowner of the removal or marking of the wires. The Council or local authority will also be notified of the removal or marking of a Navigational Safety risk.
Alcohol and Drugs
Jet Boating New Zealand has adopted the following policy in relation to the consumption of alcohol and drugs and supports the actions of the Safer Boating Forum to develop a policy for the Safer Boating Forum members to adopt.
Jet Boating New Zealand advises sensible drinking when boating and strongly recommends no alcohol is to be consumed by drivers at any time when boating, or when boat driving is likely;
Jet Boating New Zealand strongly upholds that no illegal drugs are used when boating, or when boating is likely.
Bow Riding
Jet Boating New Zealand adheres to the Maritime New Zealand rule 91.6(2) on bow riding
Maritime New Zealand Rule 91.6(2) (2)
No person may propel or navigate a powered vessel at a proper speed exceeding 5 knots while any person has any portion of his or her body extending over the fore part, bow, or side of that vessel.
(Proper speed means speed of the vessel through the water. 5 knots is 9.26km/hour)
And don’t forget…
Jet Boating New Zealand strongly recommends the use of helmets by everyone in the boat.
This “No Boating” flag, designed by the West Coast Branch, has been adopted by the National Executive as our official warning symbol that a narrow stream should not be entered because of the presence of other boats.
Remember the Rules of Jet Boating:
For a jet boater to be confident of complying with the navigational rules of a river it is necessary to:
Identify the Regulatory Authority for the river to be boated
Obtain the relevant Navigation Safety Bylaw
Check the latest District Plan relating to the river concerned for rules regarding activities on the Surface of Water Bodies.