The Whakatane dinghy roller this week is being held up as an example of one of the real life survival stories to come out of New Zealand's first ever Safer Boating Week.

A boat goes over the waves. Photo: file.

The middle aged man rolled his dinghy on Monday while crossing the bar. He was wearing a lifejacket and was brought ashore in another boat wet but unharmed.

On Wednesday a kayaker capsized and spent an hour in the water in Pukerua Bay north of Wellington. The man was wearing a lifejacket and was able to call for help because his cellphone was wrapped in plastic and in the pocket of his lifejacket.

The real-life survival stories highlight the genuine value of safety messages, says Maritime NZ Director Keith Manch.

'These two incidents could have ended tragically if the people involved had not been prepared,” says Keith. 'We want all boaties to be equipped with the correct knowledge and gear when they head out on Labour Weekend and throughout the summer.”

Safer Boating Week coincides with the lead-up to Labour Weekend, the traditional start to the recreational boating season.

Maritime NZ coordinated a range of activities during the week highlighting three key messages: prep your boat, check your gear, know the rules.

Forum members recommend boaties wear lifejackets at all times when on boats under six metres, and have two reliable ways of calling for help that will work when wet.

With its mix of light-hearted promotional activities and practical advice and support for boaties, the week is regarded successful.

'We've had statues from around the country sporting lifejackets, some lively photo competition entries and water safety leaders jumping into the Wellington Harbour on a fairly wintry day.

'But we've also seen lifejacket buoyancy testing units in action and Maritime NZ maritime officers teaming up with harbourmasters and Police to take safety messages to the boat ramps.

'Overall, the key aim of Safer Boating Week was to get people thinking and talking about what they need to do to stay safe on the water and we have certainly seen this over the past week.”

The new Auckland Navigation Safety Bylaw comes into force this weekend requiring everyone in boats under 6m to wear lifejackets at all times, unless expressly told they can take them off by the skipper who has determined there would be no reduction in safety.

The new bylaw puts the onus on the skipper to take responsibility for the safety of all on board, says Keith. Maritime NZ will report to the Minister of Transport in the first quarter of next year on options for ensuring consistency of lifejacket wearing across the country.

'If you are the skipper, it is your responsibility to bring everyone on board home safely. This means following the four key safety rules – wear your lifejacket and make sure your passengers wear theirs, take two forms of reliable communication that will work when wet, check the marine weather forecast and avoid alcohol.

'We hope everyone has a happy and safe Labour Weekend and enjoys a great summer of boating.”