Registered boats

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32776, 29 November 1971, Page 14

Registered boats

The Marine Department’s failure to bring forward during this session of Parliament legislation to require the registration of small, powered pleasure craft will be regretted by many users of coastal and inland waterways. Another summer must now pass before registration can be introduced; in the meantime the pleasure of many people who turn to the sea, rivers, and lakes for holiday activities will be marred by a few irresponsible boat users who ignore the regulations governing the use of powered craft, secure in the knowledge that problems of boat identification make prosecutions very difficult The number of boats increases each year, more powerful motors are available, and in some of the most popular holiday resorts reckless and stupid pilots pose a constant hazard to swimmers, other craft, and wild life.

Not that boat registration would automatically solve the problems of crowded waterways. But if all powered craft except the very smallest were required to be registered and to carry identification numbers visible from a reasonable distance laws now broken with impunity would be much easier to enforce. Registration is favoured by many of the more responsible owners of powered craft, especially members of clubs who often share opprobrium which should rightly be directed towards a small minority of users. Perhaps a year’s grace might be required for registration to be completed; after that it could be made compulsory for the 50,000-odd powered craft In New Zealand.

Some boating clubs would, jio doubt, be prepared to co-operate by having members made honorary rangers to enforce both registration and responsible boating behaviour. Control over powered craft should be as comprehensive as possible and it should be introduced quickly if all who use the water for pleasure are to do so in reasonable safety. Without going so far as to impose a “ driving test ”, the value of registration would be enhanced if it were used as an opportunity to make all boat owners aware of the regulations which control the use of their craft, and of water safety in general.