Any time you take a boat out on the water, there are a number of risks you face. This is why it's so important that people who operate vessels have the knowledge and experience to ensure that a day at sea doesn't turn deadly. According to national broadcaster TVNZ, there has been a 150 percent increase in fatalities related to power boat accidents in New Zealand over the past five years, and officials say part of the reason for this "shockingly high" number may be that many of the people steering these vessels don't know all the rules they should be following.
The source cites inadequate communication gear, failure to wear life jackets, alcohol consumption and ignorance about the weather forecast as potential reasons why twenty people drowned last year while using a power boat, making up a significant 40 percent of the total number of drowning-related deaths.
As a result of this surge in fatalities, Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) is pushing for mandatory education courses.
"Thankfully our waterways are really accessible. But with that is also the ease in which you can get a boat and have it on the water in such a short space of time," said WSNZ chief executive Matt Claridge. "So you've got a lot of inexperienced skippers in charge of a new vessel. And they don't perhaps know what they're doing."
Before you start up your boat, it's essential that you're aware of all the safety precautions you should be following. And, to ensure that you are covered in the case of an accident, you may want to consider working with a marine insurance agency. These professionals can connect you with the highest-rated providers at competitive prices.