Waka on wrong side of the river

A WAKA ama crew skipper has been given a formal warning after an early morning collision between his vessel and a two-person rowing skiff on the Waikato River near Hamilton’s Fairfield Bridge in July.

One of the rowers suffered serious injuries as a result of the collision and is still recovering. The rowers had to be rescued from the water by the waka ama crew.

Waikato Regional Council staff concluded after an investigation that the incident happened because the waka was on the wrong side of the river.

Vessels on the river are expected to keep to the right but the waka had been on the left when the collision happened.

‘‘The waka skipper was responsible for steering his vessel on its course along the river and that is why he has received the warning,’’ the council’s maritime services manager, Nicole Botherway, said.

‘‘It is unfortunate that, despite having been involved in waka ama for about 20 years, the waka skipper said he did not know he should be on his right-hand side of the river.’’

However, the council acknowledged there had been nothing deliberate about the collision, that the skipper had co-operated with the investigation and that, since the incident, he had taken steps to ensure he was fully up to speed with relevant rules.

‘‘Considering all the factors of the case, the council has decided to issue a formal warning under section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act to the skipper.’’

Botherway said it was important all river users knew and stuck to the rules. ‘‘Clubs need to highlight these as part of their induction and regularly reinforce these to members.

‘‘Unlike on our roads, international and national maritime rules are to keep right, not left, when on waterways.’’