As the busy summer boating season draws closer, Yamaha and Coastguard New Zealand are calling on boaties to be ‘Ramp Ready’.
In partnership with Coastguard New Zealand, Yamaha dealers will offer a free boat check (Ramp Ready Check) regardless of your outboard brand.
The check will focus on four key areas: boat hull, engine, trailer, and essential boating equipment.
If issues are found, the dealer will provide a recommended schedule of works for the customer’s consideration.
Robyn Rowley, Coastguard New Zealand Brand and Marketing Manager, says the partnership with Yamaha and the Ramp Ready campaign aims to ensure boaties are as prepared as possible for a safe and enjoyable day on the water.
“Boaties often face constantly changing conditions and unfortunately, every year, Kiwis across New Zealand don’t make it home – with 31% of drowning deaths in 2022 involving a powered craft,” says Rowley.
“In the past year, Coastguard volunteers have responded to close to 3,000 incidents, bringing 8,000 people home safely. Most of these incidents could have been prevented by taking simple steps to ensure boats were safe and simple safety gear was on board.”
Pete Dick, National Marketing Manager for Yamaha Motor New Zealand, says that as a market leader, it is the brand’s responsibility to promote sensible on-water decision-making.
“At Yamaha we know how important it is to have a reliable outboard on your boat, but it takes more than just a reliable outboard to be sensible,” says Dick.
“This is why we are offering the Ramp Ready check to everyone. Our expert dealers will check your boat and trailer regardless of what brand of boat OR outboard. Just bring your boat in to your local Yamaha dealer”.
