Manawatu River Users' Advisory Group 06 June 2017

Report No. 17-94 Information Only - No Decision Required

HARBOURMASTER'S REPORT

1. PURPOSE 1.1. The purpose of this report is to provide members of the Manawatu River Users’ Advisory Group with an update on matters relating to navigation and safety on the Manawatu River and its tributaries.

2. RECOMMENDATION That the Committee recommends that Council: a. receives the information contained in Report No. 17-94.

3. FINANCIAL IMPACT 3.1. There is no direct financial impact arising from matters discussed in this item.

4. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 4.1. This is a public item and therefore Council may deem this to be sufficient to advise the public

5. SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS RISK IMPACT 5.1. There is no significant business risk from matters discussed in this item.

6. BACKGROUND 6.1. This report covers the period 26 November 2016 to 18 May 2017.

7. RIVER EVENTS 7.1. The annual meeting and BBQ for Honorary Enforcement Officers and support organisations was held at Manawatu Marine Boating Club (MMBC) on 13 December 2016. 7.2. MMBC hosted the New Year fishing competition on 3 January 2017 with 64 people participating on 23 boats. 7.3. The Manawatu Gorge Raft Race planned for 4 February 2017 was cancelled by the organiser. 7.4. The Manawatu Power Boat Club held the MTF Kapiti Gold Cup regatta on 11-12 March 2017 at Whirokino. A temporary reservation was granted with a public notice placed in the Manawatu Standard on 25 February 2017. 7.5. The Sailing Division of MMBC conducted their sailing programme on the Manawatu Estuary with the last event for the season held on Saturday 29 April 2017. Events included a regatta on the Manawatu Estuary on the weekend of 18-19 March 2017. 7.6. MMBC also hosted the Easter fishing competition but inclement weather restricted fishing to Sunday 16 June only. There were 325 entries on 103 boats.

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Manawatu River Users' Advisory Group 06 June 2017 7.7. On Sunday 7 June 2017 Jet Boating New Zealand Central Districts Branch conducted a river run with four boats from Palmerston North to the Manawatu Gorge and back. Launching took place at Albert Street.

8. GENERAL COMMENT 8.1. A navigation and safety hazard exists on the Manawatu River near Te Matai Road. In April, severe erosion of the true left bank left a number of railway irons exposed in the new main channel. The railway irons were part of a Horizons Regional Council erosion control structure and will be removed as soon as possible however this is unlikely to happen until the river returns to summer flows. 8.2. Horizons River Management Group will mark the hazard with buoys as soon as river conditions allow. Jet Boating NZ Central Districts has been informed and have notified their members.

8.3. New bylaw and safety information signs have ben installed at the MMBC launching ramp in Foxton Beach and at Whirokino.

9. MANDATORY USE OF LIFE JACKETS – RESPONSIBILITIES AND ENFORCEMENT OPTIONS 9.1. At the December 2016 meeting Cr Kelly moved a motion requesting the Harbourmaster outline responsibilities and enforcement options for the Regional Council to impose the

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Manawatu River Users' Advisory Group 06 June 2017 mandatory use of lifejackets for events held on the Manawatu River. The motion arose out of discussion over the adequacy of provisions in the Manawatu River and Tributaries Navigation and Safety Bylaw 2010 to ensure safety of participants during events such as the Manawatu Gorge Raft Race. This pertains particularly to the mandatory wearing of personal flotation devices (PFDs). 9.2. Maritime Rule Part 91 requires that skippers must carry a correctly sized PFD for each person on board. This is a legal requirement that applies to all boats, including tenders and larger craft. 9.3. Maritime rules provide that it’s the skipper’s legal responsibility to ensure that PFDs are worn in situations of heightened risk, such as when crossing a bar, in rough water, during an emergency, and by non-swimmers. If they are not worn, PFDs must be stored so that they are immediately available in case of an emergency. 9.4. The Manawatu River and Tributaries Navigation and Safety Bylaw 2010 (the Bylaw) has slightly different wording in that it requires PFDs to be worn unless the skipper expressly gives permission for them not to be worn. The skipper must not give that permission unless conditions are such “that there is no significant increase in risk to safety to any person caused by not wearing a personal flotation device”. 9.5. Organised and semi-organised raft events present a unique set of challenges for Horizons in its administration of the Bylaw. In this context the skipper of a raft is likely to be loosely designated and that person may also be unaware of their responsibilities. 9.6. A brief review of navigation and safety bylaws around New Zealand has revealed only Tasman requires organised water activities to be applied for and approved. Most bylaws, like ours, only require an application to be made if the organiser’s want to reserve an area for the event, or if a speed restriction suspension needed. 9.7. While the Bylaw could be strengthened with a requirement for organisers to apply to Council, this would introduce a significant administrative overhead when, in almost all cases, clubs and organisations have proven they are highly capable of running events safely and in full compliance with the Bylaw and Maritime Rules. 9.8. In the specific case of the Manawatu Gorge Raft Race, it may be possible to specify the mandatory on-water safety requirements during Tararua District Council’s event approval process (for the use of Woodville Ferry Reserve). 9.9. In summary, the provisions of the bylaw regarding PFD use, event management and enforcement are considered adequate but should be revisited when the bylaw is next reviewed, however the formal review is not due until 2020. In the meantime, a combined approach with key Manawatu Gorge stakeholders, particularly Tararua District Council, should ensure raft events through the Gorge are managed appropriately.

10. SIGNIFICANCE 10.1. This is not a significant decision according to the Council’s Policy on Significance and Engagement.

Evan Lloyd Ged Shirley RISK MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR GROUP MANAGER REGIONAL SERVICES & INFORMATION

ANNEXES There are no attachments for this report.

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