Boating New Zealand - July 2018

60 Boating New Zealand

F

irst tip – take it easy. Even if your boat’s carrying

sophisticated navigational aids, actual visibility is

very limited. Objects won’t come into view until they

are fairly close, so it’s important to go slow. If you see

something in the water, you’ll need enough time to

stop or change course to avoid a collision.

Speeding at night can have dire consequences. Earlier this

year, a boatie at Cooks Beach ploughed onto rocks while heading

back to shore after a night’s ishing. He was travelling incredibly

fast – and not using any navigational aids.

While it was a calm night, with no visible moon it was very

dark, making it impossible to see what was ahead. he vessel

smashed into the rocks and both the skipper and his friends

were severely injured.

Travelling slowly – and consulting navigational aids such as a

chart/radar/GPS – could have avoided the issue.

NAV LIGHTS

Nav lights make you visible to other boaties and help you make

the right decisions and judgements relating to other vessels.

For example, you can work out if you’re overtaking someone

Boating at night can be a daunting experience – not being able to see your

surroundings is nerve-wracking. But it doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right

knowledge and equipment, a night on the water can be wonderfully rewarding.

TIPS FROM

SAFEBOATING

Boating at night

ABOVE Your vessel is legally required to have navigation lights –

they help to protect you and your fellow boaties.

OPPOSITE Trying to distinguish leading marks at night can be

dicult. They are easily confused with land-based lights.