Transport Minister and MP for Tauranga Simon Bridges is urging boat users to make safety their top priority during Safer Boating Week.

And preventing drowning is also one of the main aims of the campaign, which starts today and runs until October 24

A screen shot from the boating safety video.

Simon says: 'Safer Boating Week is an excellent initiative that raises the awareness of boat safety, and what risks are out there on the water. We have seen in the last few days the tragic consequences when something goes wrong.

'Labour Weekend is the traditional time for boaties to prepare their boats and gear for summer. This year I'd like all boat users to take three simple steps to put the focus firmly on safety this summer: prep your boat, check your gear and know the rules.”

Meanwhile, maritime services manager Nicole Botherway has moved to quell the myth that drowning is a 'gentle” way to die.

'It's one of the last things you'd want to happen to your children, your partner, your friends, yourself,” says Nicole.

'Research shows people hold their breath for about 87 seconds until a ‘breaking point' is reached and start to inhale water.

'Death by drowning occurs as the body shuts down after that. So there's nothing quick, easy or gentle about it. Drowning is the third highest cause of unintentional death in New Zealand and the council and partner agencies want people to do all they can to avoid it.”

A new study commissioned by Maritime NZ shows most New Zealanders know what safe boating behaviour looks like.

But unfortunately, that doesn't always translate when they go out on the water.

'The study shows nearly 90 per cent of Kiwis believe lifejackets should always be worn,” says Nicole, 'but only 70 per cent of boat users say they wear lifejackets.

'The same goes for carrying communications equipment. Most boaties agree they should be carrying two ways to call for help, but only half of them actually do.

'Last year 19 people died in boating accidents, and so far this year, 17 boaties have died. When things go wrong, they can go wrong very quickly. Being prepared can save lives.”

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has been working with the Waikato Regional Council, Coastguard, ACC, Maritime NZ, Water Safety NZ and Coastguard Boating Education to release boating safety films over the past few months.

The Marine Mate app - which is free to download - is close to 20,000 downloads after being released at the end of last year, and there have been 13,424 views over the past few months of the films on YouTube.

'The app and the films are really great tools for boaties. We strongly encourage people to use these freely available resources,” adds Nicole.

'Skippers have a responsibility to keep everyone safe on their boat and there's no excuse for not being able to access the wide range of relevant safety information to help them do just that.”