Summer boom anticipated for boaties
New Coastguard partnership helps Kiwis stay safe on water
Coastguard, and its newest partner Tower, are calling on all boaties to get prepared for a safe summer. After another year of lockdowns, the organisations are both anticipating Labour Weekend to be the beginning of a boom in activity on New Zealand’s waters.
Coastguard Chief Executive, Callum Gillespie, says in 2020 there were 1,672,920 recreational boaties across New Zealand1. From powerboats, sailboats, jet skis and everything in between, Kiwis love getting out on the water, and the 2021/2022 summer could be even bigger.
"The key is taking steps to stay safe on the water. Unexpected events can always happen, such as equipment failures, operator distraction and running out of fuel, and now’s the time to get prepared.
“Covering the basics of good boating preparation greatly reduces your risk on the water. Suitable lifejackets, two forms of communication and fire extinguishers are must haves and of course having a plan in case you need on-water assistance.”
Each year Coastguard’s 2,000 volunteers help bring more than 8,000 Kiwis back home safely to dry land – from Cape Rēinga to Bluff and across the coastlines, major rivers, and lakes of Aotearoa.
Despite the unpredictable nature of our country’s waters, less than 60% of boats are insured in Aotearoa2. This represents a risk to both owners and other boaties that Tower and Coastguard are looking to solve.
Tower’s Chief Executive Officer Blair Turnbull says Coastguard and Tower both have a long history of supporting Kiwis when the unexpected happens and are looking to support Kiwis this summer.
“We’re partnering with Coastguard to help even more Kiwis out on the water by supporting their operations as well as their phenomenal volunteers. After doing the hard yards in lockdowns, we’re hoping this summer that boaties take extra precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe on the water.
“Planning for the unexpected isn’t just about upkeeping your boat and making sure you’ve got all the essentials on board. Sometimes you need a hand and that’s where Coastguard and your insurance can help.”
Callum Gillespie says Coastguard’s partnership with Tower is a timely fit, especially to help those new to being on the water.
“As a New Zealand born and bred insurance company, Tower understands the importance of being prepared on the water. This partnership will give us much needed support to help make this summer a great one for our volunteers and all New Zealanders”
Top five ways to get ready for summer boating:
- Check your lifejackets are in good condition.
- Have two forms of communication with you – VHF radio, your mobile or flares.
- Make sure you have working fire extinguishers on board.
- Check your insurance is up to date.
- Check your coastguard membership is current with correct contact details.
ENDS
About Tower Insurance
Born and bred in New Zealand, Tower has been supporting Kiwis when they need it most for 150 years. In that time, we’ve grown to operate across New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, providing our customers with cover for their houses, cars, contents, businesses and more.
While our heritage is important to us, we’ve also set our sights on the future. Our goal is to meet the 21st century head-on with customer focussed, digital-first insurance solutions for Kiwis and their communities.
1 https://ipsos.com.au/maritimenz_infographic/2020/
2 Independent research conducted by PureProfile in September 2021
