Registration of small boats urged

Press, 12 February 1982, Page 7

Registration of small boats urged

For the safety of small craft owners boats should be registered and carry prominent registration numbers on their tops and hulls, according to the Harbourmaster of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, Captain J. A. Barbour. He cited several instances where a boat could not be identified following a mishap until it was towed back into the harbour. “Many don't even have names,” he said.

The registration procedure, as envisaged by Captain Barbour, would cost the boat owner nothing except the cost of putting the appropriate identification aboard his vessel and informing the Harbourmaster's office accordingly. “I think it is very important that small craft be able to be identified." he said, "especially in cases where mishaps occur or search and rescue operations have to be implemented." He said that motor vehicles have to have an identifying number. so why not boats as well? And. if such identification is applied, it does not mean that any registration fee would have to be paid. He said that remits had been pul forward by the board to Harbours Association meetings, but have, in the past, been unsuccessful. "I consider such a move veryimportant, ” he said, "and if there is no cost involved to the boat owner, he should be happy to know that his vessel can be identified in case of emergency."

Arrivals Nil. Departures Kwangsi (2.24 p.m.), 9369, Tauranga (P and 0). Nedlloyd Fremantle (5.20 p.m.), 10.909, Auckland (Guthrey). Union Hobart (9 p.m.), 4376, Wellington (U.M.S.). Expected Arrivals Union Hobart. Wgtn, Feb 13. Dorit Skou, Dndn. Feb 13. Holmdale. Chathams, Feb 14. Allied Pioneer, Japan. Feb 14. Moksong. N Plym. Feb 14. Coastal Trader. Auck. Feb 15. Union Hobart, Dndn, Feb 16. Onehunga, N Plym. Feb 16. Botany Bay. Wgtn. Feb 16. Coastal Trader, Dndn. Feb 17. Waitaki, Wgtn, Feb 18. Southern Cross, McMurdo, Feb 18. Nedlloyd Amsterdam, Bluff, Feb 19. Iron York, Auck, Feb 19. Marama. Dndn, Feb 20. Nippon Maru, Sydney, Feb 21. Kenkon Maru, Nagoya, Feb 22. Coastal Trader, Auck, Feb 22. Austral Entente, Melbourne. Feb 22. Projected Departures Canadian Reefer. Nap. today. Union Hobart, Dndn, Feb 14. Coastal Trader, Dndn. Feb 15. Allied Pioneer, Nelson, Feb 17. Union Hobart. Wgtn. Feb 16. Coastal Trader, Auck, Feb 17. Botany Bay. Jeddah, Feb 17. Moksong. Tim. Feb 17. Dorit Skou. Nap, Feb 18. Waitaki. Svdney, Feb 18.

Onehunga.'Tim, Feb 18. Southern Cross, Los Angeles, Feb 20. Marama. Wgtn, Feb 21. Coastal Trader, Dndn, Feb 22. Golden Dolphin, Auck, Feb 22. Nedlloyd Amsterdam, Wgtn, Feb 22. Iron York, Australia. Feb 22. Austral Entente, Wgtn, Feb 22. Vessels in Port Canadian Reefer, No. 3 West.