COASTGUARD AND ITS NEW PARTNER TOWER are calling on all boaties to get prepared for a safe summer. After another year of lockdowns, both organisations are expecting a boom in boating activity this summer.
Coastguard Chief Executive, Callum Gillespie, says in 2020 there were 1,672,920 recreational boaties across New Zealand. From powerboats, sailboats, jet skis and everything in between, Kiwis love getting out on the water, and the 2021-2022 summer season could be even bigger.
“The key is taking steps to stay safe on the water. Unexpected events can always happen, such as equipment failures, operator distraction and running out of fuel, and now’s the time to get prepared.”
Each year Coastguard’s 2,000 volunteers help bring more than 8,000 Kiwis back home safely to dry land – from Cape Rēinga to Bluff and across the coastlines, major rivers, and lakes of Aotearoa.
Despite the unpredictable nature of our country’s waters, less than 60% of boats are insured. This represents a risk to both owners and other boaties that Tower and Coastguard are looking to solve.
Tower’s Chief Executive Officer Blair Turnbull says Coastguard and Tower both have a long history of supporting Kiwis when the unexpected happens and are looking to support Kiwis this summer.
Gillespie says Coastguard’s partnership with Tower is a timely fit, especially to help those new to being on the water.
