Night time boaties fishing from small craft in Whitianga Harbour entrance are causing headaches for harbour master Gary Vincent.

The skippers of larger launches entering the harbour at night are reporting increasing near misses and sightings of boats without lights, says Gary.
'The unlit boats are usually clustered around the harbour entrance or estuary mouth, right in the path of big launches that come powering in and out. The skippers of these launches are quite concerned,” he says.
'It's illegal to use a boat at night without the correct lights and it could easily result in a death,” says Gary.
He and honorary wardens have been placing brochures on cars parked around boat ramps to tell them what type of lighting is required.
Soon Gary will enforce the regulations.
'In a few weeks' time we will be looking for boats coming in after dark and if they don't have adequate lights the skipper will get an instant $200 fine,” says Gary.
The people putting themselves at risk are generally small row boats, tinnies and inflatable vessels.
'Skippers of these boats need to think about putting a small mast or upstand with a white light on top that is visible for a least a mile in all directions,” says Gary.
'The lights must be switched on from sunset to sunrise and during times of poor visibility, such as in rain or fog.”