The popular Marine Mate app has received a $23,000 funding boost from Maritime New Zealand.

The mobile phone app was developed by the Waikato Regional Council and has had 35,000 downloads since it was launched in 2014.

The $23k grant, which is paid for by the road taxes boaties pay on their boat fuel, will go towards refreshing and adding to the app, as well as producing fish measurement stickers and waterproof cellphone bags with safety messages printed on them.

The stickers help ensure only legal size fish are kept, while the cellphone bags are part of a drive to get boaties to carry two waterproof forms of communication with them.

'Developing MarineMate further and distributing more waterproof cellphone bags will help boaties stay safe on the water, something we at the regional council are very passionate about,” says Waikato Regional Council's maritime services team leader Richard Barnett.

'We want boaties to come home to their families after being out on the water.”

There are a number of websites, VHF channels and apps that can help kiwi boaties ensure they are better prepared and only go out if it's safe. The MetService Marine app has proved a hit since being released in 2014 - with nearly 170,000 downloads. It is accessed more than 250,000 times a month during summer and downloaded by nearly 5000 new users each month.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Safer Boating Officer Tony Pearce says knowing what the weather and tide is going to do is a key part of safe boating.

'Marine forecasts are different to land and general forecasts. Conditions can change very quickly out on the water and boaties need to be aware of what weather is on the way. As always, if in doubt don't go out,” he said.

'Our message for Safer Boating Week (Oct 14-21) is Prep your boat, Check your gear and Know the rules – and that includes the current local Navigation Safety Bylaw.”

To download, visit your app store and search for MarineMate.