Summer is by far the busiest season on the water, with a surge in boating numbers heading out to enjoy the coast, lakes and rivers.

Coastguard New Zealand is urging boaties to have reliable communications and to wear life jackets during the most popular boating season of the year.

Caption: Coastguard NZ representatives Patrick Holmes, CEO; Paul Field, volunteer/skipper; Sir Graham Henry; and fellow volunteer/skippers Joe Single and Adam, will be on-hand when needed, but say prevention and safety on the water is their aim.

Sir Graham Henry, an ambassador for Coastguard, is reinforcing this message as the festive season and summer holidays start – especially around carrying two forms of waterproof communication.

'Just as in sports, you need to have a plan B and to be able to change tack when needed to get everyone home safely,” says Graham. 'Always take two types of communication, rather than just relying on your cellphone.”

Coastguard recommends boaties carry a marine VHF radio as another way to communicate.

Graham says with all of the right safeguards in place, 'we can all enjoy our summer break ahead and stay safe”.

'We're so lucky in New Zealand to have stunning coastlines, rivers and lakes to make the most of all year round,” says Graham. 'And summer boating is something that we can all get out there and enjoy while the weather is great.”

Last summer, from December through February, the Coastguard received 1056 calls for help and 224 searches; and rescue operations were carried out.

'We know it's easy for things to go wrong out there in a short period of time,” says Graham.

'With more Kiwis out on the water, it's also an ideal time to remind people of the importance of lifejackets and general boat safety.”

Coastguard New Zealand CEO Patrick Holmes says its known that not wearing a lifejacket is the leading risk factor for boating fatalities, but other key risks include not carrying communications, not checking the weather and drinking alcohol.

'Tragically 12 people have lost their lives in recreational boating accidents in New Zealand waters during 2013*, of which two-thirds of these would most likely have been saved had they been wearing a lifejacket,” says Patrick.

'The summer season is a great time to get out on the water and enjoy the warmer weather with family and friends – however, it's important to remember the simple safety rules amongst all of the fun.”

There are five simple rules in the Boating Safety Code that could save your life:

1. Life Jackets: Take them – and wear them

Boats, especially ones under six metres in length, can sink very quickly. Wearing a life jacket increases your survival time in the water.

2. Skipper responsibility

The skipper is responsible for the safety of everyone on-board and for the safe operation of the boat. Stay within the limits of your vessel and your experience. Take a Coastguard Boating Education Course, like Day Skipper, Boatmaster and Marine VHF Radio training. For details, visit: www.boatingeducation.org.nz

3. Communications

Take two separate waterproof ways of communicating, so the coastguard can help you if you get into difficulties.

4. Marine weather

New Zealand's weather can be highly unpredictable. Check the local marine weather forecast before you go; and expect both weather and sea state changes.

5. Avoid alcohol

Safe boating and alcohol do not mix. Things can change quickly.

To download a copy of the Boating Safety Code, visit: www.coastguard.co.nz

On the website, you can also consider making an online Christmas donation to Coastguard NZ, which is the charity looking after boaties and their families on the water this summer.