Source: Northland Regional Council
“Slow down and watch your wake.”
That’s the message to boaties in Taitokerau from Northland Regional Council Deputy Harbourmaster Peter Thomas who says the council is encountering increasing number of boaties creating unnecessarily large wakes in the region.
Mr Thomas says some larger recreational vessels in particular are creating damaging wakes which travel through the water as a set of waves which can cause a number of issues for other water users, as well as environmental damage.
“Excessive wake can cause environmental damage, including shoreline erosion, and safety hazards for other recreational water users, particularly smaller vessels like kayakers, paddleboarders, and small dinghies which can be swamped or capsized.”
“Passengers can also be knocked off balance and injured or thrown overboard.”
Mr Thomas says property and marine structures can also suffer damage with large wakes rocking moored boats, causing damage to vessel fittings and the structures that they are moored to as well.
“Good practice for vessel skippers is to keep a proper lookout and slow down well before areas where their wake could cause issues.” “Lose your wake by letting it pass your vessel and don’t pull it along with you, then proceed at 5 knots with no wake.”