The Taranaki Regional Council has established navigation bylaws for Port Taranaki and its approaches.
The bylaws, which were reviewed during 2009, establish a safe area for swimmers and bathers, a dedicated ski access lane and boat mooring area, and a safe area within the shelter of the port breakwaters that can be used by water skiers, windsurfers and jet skis that need to travel at speeds faster than 5 knots.
The bylaws establish four zones (click on map for large version):
- Reserve Area A (red in map) - where the 5 knot speed restrictions apply (i.e. no speed uplifting). This provides an area off Ngamotu beach and the boat mooring area for swimmers and other recreational users.
- Reserve Area B (green in map) - where the Part 91 speed restrictions under clause 91.6(1)(b)are uplifted, allowing an area within the safety of the Port breakwaters to continue to be used for waterskiers and other recreation users.
- Reserve Area C (pink in map) - in the vicinity of the wharfs is reserved for ensuring safe and efficient Port operations. Restrictions are placed on small craft and people from entering this area.
- Water ski-access lane (orange in map) - an access lane at the end of Ngamotu Beach where speed restrictions have been uplifted for the purpose of providing access into Reserve Area B for small vessels towing waterskiers. Jetskis not towing waterskiers must still observe the 5 knot limit in this lane.
The bylaws also allow the harbourmaster or any honorary enforcement officer to demand that a vessel be stopped. There is also provision in the bylaws for organisers of temporary events to apply for temporary suspension of the bylaws.
The bylaws include Maritime Rules Part 91 enabling all the requirements under Part 91 relating to vessel speed, water skiing or towing, the wearing of personal flotation devices, etc to be enforced by the harbour masters and deputy harbour masters.
| Navigation Bylaws for Port Taranaki and its approaches 2009 | 241kb |