Port’s a picnic – just stick to the rules
When Port Taranaki harbourmaster Tony Parr heard about a group of people using a picnic table boat in the waters he patrols he laughed, but he didn’t try to stop it.
The vessel, which is classed as a raft, took to the waters on Waitangi Day from the lee breakwater boat ramp in New Plymouth. Parr said such contraptions were acceptable as long as rules were abided by.
‘‘No-one can stop them from doing it, but he’s got obligations. He’s got to wear lifejackets or have lifejackets on board for the people he’s got and if it breaks up out there then he’s got to pick up the pieces,’’ he said. Parr said he had yet to issue a fine in 15 months as harbourmaster.
As the waters of Ngamotu Beach were a public area, as long as users didn’t go past the Blyde Wharf restricted area, and didn’t get in the way of ship movements, most activities were OK. Which means things like kite surfing, which has been happening more regularly around the port, is absolutely fine and something Parr would like to see more of.
‘‘One day here, after some unusual weather there was a whole lot of surf coming on Ngamotu Beach through the gap and there were surfers out here and probably kite surfers out here too, which is great to see. ‘‘It’s a public area, you can do whatever you want here as long as you keep within the bylaws and maritime rules,’’ he said.
‘‘Everything has to keep out of the way of a large ship coming and going.’’
Parr warned people to be vigilant in and on the water, especially during the busy summer months.
‘‘When you go out on the water in any shape or form, you’ve got obligations. Obligations to yourself and your own personal safety, so that’s wearing lifejackets, avoiding alcohol, taking two means of communications, checking out the weather forecast. You also have an obligation to others, to proceed at a safe speed, to keep a lookout for others and make sure you’re not getting in anyone else’s way in terms of rules.’’