MOVEMENTS OF SMALL CRAFT

Southland Times, Issue 24680, 27 February 1942, Page 4

MOVEMENTS OF SMALL CRAFT

General Restriction Imposed (P.A.) WELLINGTON, February 26. Designed with the object of providing a measure of safety against attack without warning by enemy forces operating in small craft, the Shipping Safety Small Craft Order 1942, gazetted tongiht, imposes restrictions on the movements of small craft in New Zealand territorial waters. There is a general restriction on the movement of small craft other than rowing boats in the territorial limits of New Zealand at any time after sunset and before sunrise. The owner of power-driven small craft may not cause to or permit it to be unattended at any time in or near any waters within the territorial limits of New Zealand unless some vital part of the mechanism is removed so as to prevent the use of the vessel. This restriction, however, does not apply within the ports of Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton and Otago. The order applies to any vessel under 100 tons net register, but does not include any British or foreign naval vessel or any police or auxiliary patrol vessel. Other vessels exempted are vessels engaged on Government or harbour board service, trading vessels holding a valid survey certificate issued by the Marine Department, fishing boats within the meaning of the Fishing Boats Emergency Regulations, and vessels used during a period of emergency for purposes of any Emergency Precautions Service. ROWING BOATS AFFECTED

There are local restrictions at the ports of Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton and Otago which vary at each place, but in addition to the general restrictions on the movement of small craft at those ports, the movement of rowing boats between the hours of sunset and sunrise is prohibited. There have also been created certain areas to which in some cases the prohibition applies during the hours of daylight as well as at night. Further restrictions are imposed in respect of Titahi Bay and Porirua Harbour. At those places there is total prohibition on the movement of all small craft, including rowing boats, between sunset and sunrise, and no small craft may enter or leave those places during daylight unless a permit has been issued by the police. Provision is made in the order for the issue of a permit by any constable under which the holder may operate a small craft subject to the terms of the permit. A permit may, however, be revoked at any time by any constable. Any person desiring for good reasons to operate a small craft within any of the prohibited areas or during prohibited hours should make application to the police for permission. Though inconvenience may be caused persons operating small craft for pleasure, this is unavoidable and the restrictions are necessary in the interests of public safety.