Source: Maritime New Zealand
As Safer Boating Week 2025 gets underway, a new ambassador for safety will start bobbing in the waves around the country. Introducing “Buoy-Boy” – a floating reminder to recreational craft users to stay safe on the water. Buoy-Boy will be appearing at popular boating spots nationwide, starting this week, and continuing throughout the summer months.
Buoy-Boy’s mission is simple: to encourage recreational craft users to be prepared in case they unexpectedly find themselves in the water. His presence is a light-hearted but important reminder to check lifejackets, monitor marine weather conditions, and carry at least two waterproof forms of communication – such as a beacon (EPIRB), cellphone, or have a marine radio on-board.
The name Buoy-Boy is a playful twist on the maritime term “buoy,” paired with “boy” to give a human touch to the delivery of safety messages. Buoys are familiar to water users and serve a vital role in marking hazards, speed zones, and areas designated for specific activities, such as water skiing.
Matt Wood, Maritime NZ’s Principal Advisor Recreational Craft, says Buoy-Boy’s role is to gently reinforce safety habits as boaties head out for the day.
“While he’s not an official aid to navigation, we hope Buoy-Boy will serve as a friendly prompt to think about safety as recreational craft users are leaving for a day on the water.
“When boaties see Buoy-Boy, it should be their final reminder to ensure they’re wearing a properly fitted lifejacket, have checked the marine weather forecast and are carrying two forms of communication.”
Buoy-Boy will be popping up at some popular recreational boating locations across the country over the next month.
Tragically, an average of 17 people lose their lives each year in incidents involving recreational craft. Research shows that the highest risk occurs within 400 metres of shore – an area where many assume they are safe.
“I want to acknowledge the tragic incident that occurred at Port Waikato over the weekend. While we are not able to talk about what occurred. This is a devastating reminder about the dangers of heading out on the water.
Our thoughts are with those involved and their friends and family,” Matt Wood says.
Maritime NZ wants to thank all the responders who worked to help those involved in this heartbreaking incident.
One craft type identified through our research as having an elevated risk are dinghies.
“Over the past decade, a quarter of all fatal incidents have involved dinghies, and in most cases, those who died were not wearing lifejackets.”
“People often believe that being close to shore means they are safer than they actually are – but sadly, that’s not always the case,” Matt Wood says.
Before heading out, every water user should ask themselves; If I end up in the water, how prepared am I?
“Preparation is the key to staying safe.
“We want recreational craft users to be sure before they leave the shore; this means they will enjoy their time on the water and most importantly come home safely,” Matt Wood says.
Key Statistics:
Over the past decade, more than 170 lives have been lost in incidents involving recreational craft. A quarter of these involved dinghies.
As a craft type, dinghies have the second highest number of fatalities connected to them as a craft type. Sitting just behind powerboats.
Nearly all single-occupancy dinghy fatalities involved men.
Mature males are at greatest risk, with the average age being 56.
Between 1 January and 19 October 2025, there have been 15 recreational craft accidents resulting in 16 deaths.
Just under half of dinghy-related fatalities involved people falling overboard from vessels that remained afloat.
70% of these fatalities occurred within one nautical mile of shore, and 40% within 400 metres – despite many believing the greatest danger lies in open water.
