The council this week began public consultation on its Otago navigation safety bylaw update, to replace bylaws from 2003.
One main change is the requirement for compulsory use of life jackets for passengers on boats under 9m.
At present flotation devices are only required to be available on board.
Another change is the requirement for all recreational vessels to have names or numbers displayed for identification.
This would not require any new payment or registration.
Otago harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook said the change in life jacket rules was about personal safety.
''That's to prevent fatalities and help save people's lives. This is the best option for us, we feel.''
The requirement to identify vessels was partly to create consistency with neighbouring regions such as Canterbury, he said.
It would also help in creating a database of incidents on the water.
''We'll have gone from a pretty old set of bylaws to a very modern version.''
Mr Rushbrook stressed the importance of community input, as the new laws would be for 10 years, he said.
The bylaws will apply to all of Otago except for the Queenstown Lakes District and Lake Dunstan, which both have their own.
Consultation will end on August 20 and be followed by hearings.
