The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is advising boaties of new exclusion zones associated with the Rena wreck on Astrolabe Reef.
In addition to the three nautical miles exclusion zone around the wreck, all vessels must stay at least 200m clear of all floating containers and any salvage vessel working on the response.
Floating containers are a hazard and boaties are not permitted within 200m of them inside the jurisdiction of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council harbourmaster.
The council states these exclusion zones are issued to keep vessels away from areas that are known to contain navigational safety hazards.
Boaties are urged not to go out onto the water unless it is necessary.
If the trip is unavoidable, the council is asking boaties to proceed at slow speeds, keep a good lookout and travel through the area in daylight only.
Boat operators are also reminded to take extra care around any anchored containers as these areas may contain unlit buoys, ropes, chains and anchors.
Anyone found in the exclusion zones without the express permission of the harbourmaster could face prosecution.
3 comments
Containers
Posted on 11-01-2012 10:39 | By DRONE
Often sit just below the surface of the water so a little bit hard to see them unless about on top of them. Better to stay in port you would think.
Tape measure required
Posted on 11-01-2012 16:07 | By Jack the Lad
How the hell is a boatie suppossed to know when he/she is anchored fishing, and a container floats by where 200 metres is, would not a little common sense be advisable, and a statement just saying, do not touch them,
I wonder
Posted on 12-01-2012 07:37 | By tonyb1
Makes you wonder if any of these policy making fouls have been out on the water lol
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