After a busy but successful summer season, Queenstown Lakes district harbour master Marty Black is happy to see new bylaws working as intended.
Mr Black works year-round alongside deputy harbour master Dave Black from their office at the Frankton marina.
Between them they cover every lake and river in the Queenstown Lakes district, including Lakes Wakatipu, Wanaka and Hawea.
"The good thing about this season is we only had one fatality on the waters.
It was not even a boating accident as such, but a male kayaker was found dead in Lake Wakatipu in November.
Fortunately, we have not had a lot of accidents this year," Marty Black said.
A lot of the time was spent cleaning up the waterfront, he said.
People swimming too close to TSS Earnslaw in Queenstown Bay was another issue raised over summer, but he said most people had a good attitude once he approached them and told them of the danger.
A new bylaw making it compulsory to wear lifejackets while on the water had been well received, with most complying.
"Most people wear them, but I occasionally have to remind sailors that they actually have to wear them, not just keep them on board.
If it saves even just one life, then it is a very worthwhile bylaw," he said.
The past summer had been the second season in which the harbourmasters can issue instant fines of either $300 or $500 for offences, but Marty Black said a warning was usually enough.
Just eight fines were issued and 25 to 30 warnings given.
"The fines are generally higher than what you would, for example, be given for traffic offences."
The fines were mostly for blatant breaches like water-skiers ignoring the need to have an observer.
A private jet-boat driver who ignored a sign and entered a restricted area of the Shotover River gorge without permission was also fined.
"In general, you should always liaise with the commercial [jet-boat] operators . . . if you wish to sail or jet ski on the rivers.
They are quite approachable and conscious of safety on the river, and they are also up-to-date on the water levels and currents."
