People in small boats on Waitaki lakes and rivers are being advised to practice getting used to wearing life jackets this summer before a new bylaw is introduced on April 1.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) is introducing a new Navigation bylaw covering all Canterbury waterways, including those in the Waitaki, which will make wearing life jackets compulsory on all moving boats 6m and under.
Before then, it is also reviewing its infringement notices fines for breaking the bylaw, including the new life jackets rule, which could see them increase substantially from the common fine of $150 at present.
The other difference is under the present bylaw, skippers get one infringement notice fine, while under the new bylaw, they will get one notice for every person on board not wearing a lifejacket - potentially up to $1000 or more.
The new bylaw has already been approved by ECan's commissioners, but this summer the old one, which does not have a compulsory life jackets rule, will be in operation.
Recently, Otago Southland coroner David Crerar, in a finding on the death of a Gore man in Lake Onslow, said everyone who used a small boat, no matter their age, or how calm the water was, should wear a lifejacket.
The new bylaw comes in from April 1, giving ECan time for publicity, to change signs, bring out new brochures, look at infringement fines and, if increased, gazette them.
ECan navigation and safety manager Ewan Walker said yesterday when contacted, ECan would be giving the new bylaw publicity approaching its introduction, and would step that up at the start of next summer's boating season.
But he suggested this summer people should get used to obeying the compulsory wearing of life jackets on moving boats under 6m in preparation for the new bylaw.
"Wearing life jackets saves lives - that's a well recognised fact," he said.
Mr Walker said ECan's bylaw on life jackets went further than some introduced by other local authorities, including the proposed national rule and that in Queenstown Lakes.
The ECan rule is more stringent by making it compulsory to wear a lifejacket on any moving boat 6m and under, while the others gave the skipper some discretion by stipulating they should available and readily accessibly, but worn when warranted by river flows, rough water, adverse weather, adverse visibility or emergencies when there was an increased risk to people on board.
Once the new bylaw is introduced, ECan's approach to enforcement on a first offence has been education rather than issuing enforcement notices, unless people are repeat offenders.
