Boating with Friends & Family

Tips For Onboard Guests

Whenever you invite friends and family to come boating for the day, a weekend or an extended cruise, you should explain to them in advance what is expected of them, especially if they are not experienced boaties.

If they are expected to perform duties onboard, make sure they know this (and how to do it) before you give the order to swab the deck or handle lines.
Make sure each guest has a good pair of non-skid deck shoes.
If you are planning to visit a foreign port or centre when boating, be sure to let your friends and family know in advance what documents and ID they need to bring.
Make sure your guests know that your times of departure are based on tide, current, weather conditions and time to make the next destination. You should explain that they should be onboard, have gear stowed and be ready to leave well before the departure time you have set.
Familiarise friends and family with boating safety tips and emergency procedures before leaving the dock. Explain fueling procedures, docking and undocking plans, etc.
Make sure someone onboard is able to take over for you and operate the VHF radio to ask for help should you become disabled.

Boating with Kids

Recreational family boating is a great way to spend time with your children. There are many tasks that can be assigned to youngsters to teach responsibility, and being out in nature provides endless lessons for the young boatie. Nonetheless, if youngsters are going to be joining you, there are a few features to at least consider when purchasing family boats. Our boat marina and ramp locator will help you to find a family boating centre in your area.

When boating with kids, consider family boats that have a cuddy cabin. Runabouts, bow riders, deck boats, and even some centre console fishing boats are sometimes equipped with a small cuddy cabin to offer a comfortable area for kids if they need a nap or are getting too much sun.
Buy a good lifejacket or life vest with a collar that turns a child face up in the water. It must have strong waist and crotch straps, a handle on the collar, and preferably be a bright yellow or orange colour for good visibility.
Attach a plastic safety whistle to the lifejacket, teach the child how to use the whistle, and practice using it.

For more information on boating with kids, visit Water Safety New Zealand’s “Kids in Boats” page.

Boating with Pets

Taking ‘Man’s best Friend’ or any other furry creature onboard a boat requires considerable planning and consideration. If your pet is shaking at the sight of water or scared by the engine, sounds like it’s going to be a difficult change. However if you and your pet are keen, there’s a few things you might consider.

Dog Life Jackets

The truth is not all dogs can swim. And not all those that can swim are great swimmers. Additionally, water or weather conditions can cause problems – even for a pet that is typically a strong swimmer.

Any dog can get fatigued or disoriented. Older dogs, especially, can tire easily. Pets with low body fat can have trouble when in the water for long periods. Health issues, such as hip or joint problems can also make swimming difficult for some pets.

So, while there are no regulations regarding life jackets for pets, a dog life jacket can help keep your pet safe while aboard your boat or around any body of water.
Pet life jackets are designed to keep the animal afloat in a horizontal, swimming position. An additional, important function of a pet life jacket is as a retrieval device, should your pet fall overboard.

How do you choose a life jacket for Fido? Here are a few things to consider:

Fit—Make sure the life jacket fits securely. It’s best to check the fit in the store, before you buy
Lifting handles—to make retrieving your pet safer and easier
Comfort—check to see where straps and buckles fall to make sure they won’t cause your pet any discomfort
Colour—choose a bright colour to make it easier to spot your dog in the water
Give your pet a chance to get used to wearing its life jacket before actually getting on a boat. Allow your pet to practice swimming while wearing its life jacket, too.

Visit our page on safety gear to find your nearest stockist.

Training

Introduce your pet to the boat in incremental steps. Ideally, begin the exposure when the animal is young. Then gradually work up to a day sail, then a weekend, then a week-long cruise.
Practice swimming and rescue drills with your pet. Pet-overboard drills should also include what to do when underway.

Onboard

While docked, rig up a self-rescue system, such as a coiled line or carpet strip hanging into the water at each corner of the boat, to make it easier for an overboard dog or cat to climb back on. A fishnet with a long handle is also helpful in scooping up a drenched cat or small dog.
Teach your dog basic safety commands, such as “on boat,” “off boat,” “stay” and “sit.” Good luck finding any verbal command a cat will pay attention to.
Obtain seasickness medication for your pet if necessary.
Provide a shady place so your pet can get out of the sun, and find a way to protect their paw pads from hot decks by either cooling the deck with water or making a piece of nonskid carpet available.
Make sure your pet has a chance to exercise and a place to go to the toilet on board.
Swimming is good exercise for dogs, but water conditions and the dog’s stamina must be carefully monitored.

Going Ashore

Be aware of the local bylaws wherever you choose to land. Significant damage can be caused by dogs to native bird life in many locations around NZ.
Dogs are not permitted on most land managed by DOC in the Auckland region, including all island conservation reserves (and foreshores) of the Hauraki Gulf and around New Zealand.
For up to date information, visit the Department of Conservation website:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/plan-and-prepare/dog-access