Boating incidents in New Zealand are 7% higher in 2024 than the same period in 2023 – the worst on the water in recent years.
Over the last seven weeks, seven people have died in three incidents involving recreational craft around the country. On average, 18 people a year die in recreational craft incidents in New Zealand.
Three people died after the boat they were in capsized in late June, a man died after falling overboard off Whakatāne in late July, and in early August, three people died just 100 metres from shore after their boat capsized.
“These incidents are nothing short of heartbreaking, and I want to offer my condolences to everyone impacted by them. This has been the worst winter I can remember in my near decade at Maritime NZ,” said principal advisor recreational craft, Matt Wood.
And he warned that the tragedies could have been worse had it not been for volunteers who saved several more lives during incidents pulling people from the water.
“It has been a busy winter for Coastguard, with volunteers responding to over 270 incidents and rescuing 14 people from life-threatening situations – incidents are 7% higher than at the same point last winter,” said Coastguard head of operations Rob McCaw.
The coastguard is warning that tragedy can occur anywhere and does not discriminate.
“The recent incidents we have seen over the last few weeks have been all around the country, in varying conditions and involved different sized vessels,” said Matt.
And he warned that vessels should have two forms of communication, properly fitted lifejackets for everyone on-board, and boaters should check and understand the marine weather forecast.
