Rules on the water
Listen and look ahead
Stay alert for other boats, swimmers, dive boats, kayaks, hazards, and obstacles. Keep your focus on the water ahead, especially when you are travelling at speed.
Keeping a lookout helps prevent collisions, groundings, strandings, and sinkings, which can cause serious injury or loss of life.
Maritime NZ has published the position statement below on how the law applies to keeping a lookout at anchor and while travelling. It explains your obligations under the law.
Keep a safe speed
Travel at a safe speed for the conditions, including boat traffic, weather, and visibility.
Operate at a speed that allows for the time and distance necessary to avoid a collision.
You must not exceed a speed of 5 knots (a fast-walking speed) when you are:
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within 200m of the shore
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within 200m of any structure
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within 200m of a boat displaying a diver’s flag
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within 50m of any other boat
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within 50m of a person who is swimming
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on a powerboat when any person has any part of their body outside the rails or over the edge of the deck.
You must be over 15 years old to operate any vessel that can exceed 10 knots, unless you are under close supervision by someone older who is constantly within reach of the controls.
Always check the effect of your wake. You must not create a wake that causes unnecessary danger to other boats or peop
Respect the give way rules
When two boats approach each other, one has right of way. The other boat must give way and pass astern (behind). To determine who has right of way, consider the vessel type.
When power meets power
- Powerboats must give way to those on the starboard (right) side
- When meeting head-on, powerboats must turn to starboard.
When power meets sail, paddle or rowing craft
Except where specific day shapes or lights are displayed, powerboats must give way to sail, paddle, or rowing vessels, unless the powered vessel is overtaking.
When power meets sail, paddle or rowing craft
Except where specific day shapes or lights are displayed, powerboats must give way to sail, paddle, or rowing vessels, unless the powered vessel is overtaking.
When sail meets sail
A sailing boat must give way to another sailing boat when:
- the wind is blowing from its port (left) side, or
- it is to windward (upwind) of the other sailing boat.
Give way when overtaking
If you approach another vessel from within a 135‑degree sector behind its stern, you are overtaking and must give way.
Keep clear of big ships
Keep clear of the bows and paths of larger vessels.
See the dangers of big ships
If you are in a channel or harbour, you must:
- keep to the starboard (right) side of any channel
- keep clear of larger vessels restricted by the depth and which have to stay in the channel
- not anchor in a channel or anywhere that could be dangerous to other vessels
- stay at least 500 metres ahead of any large ship
- stay at least 200 metres away from the sides and stern of tankers.
Remember that large vessels have restricted manoeuvrability and limited visibility from the bridge.
As well as the above each region may have bylaws that also apply.