Maritime NZ

Kiwi love the water but we don’t always treat it with the respect it deserves, particularly boaties aged 45+. They’re a demographic that refuse to be told what to do or wear. And this shows in the statistics. To launch Safer Boating Week, we highlighted the place where the known becomes the unknown. Salty Sid, hero of the high seas, became the face of the Boaties Safety line. His message? Cross this line without knowing the ways of the water, and your chances of returning home safe and sound are reduced.

The campaign resulted in a 39% reduction in deaths despite a rise is recreational craft use.