Marine radio can be a life saver

With summer approaching fast, boaties are being reminded of two key ways to stay safe.

Always wear a lifejacket and make sure you have a waterproof radio to call for help.

About 20 water safety leaders jumped off Wellington Wharf last Friday, to mark the start of Safer Boating Week.

The jumpers included maritime officer Matt Wood and Maritime NZ Director Keith Manch.

The Safer Boating Forum is raising awareness about the need for boaties to ensure they have a VHF radio on their vessel.

Every vessel with a VHF radio acts as a station and can come to the rescue of others if they hear a distress alert on the emergency Channel 16, or on a local channel.

Recreational boaties who get into difficulty on a lake or out at sea can get help quicker if they are able to alert the crews of nearby craft.

While 86 per cent of boaties take lifejackets out with them, only 38 per cent take two waterproof ways of calling for help.

‘‘Lifejackets and waterproof communications work together,’’ Manch said.

‘‘Lifejackets help you float - but if you can’t call, we can’t rescue you.’’

If you have a cell phone it is also a good idea to keep it in a waterproof bag.

Luckily for Wood and Manch, the local harbourmaster was on hand to rescue them once their mayday call was received.