Look before you launch

Kiwis love the water and summer is the time when anyone who has a boat, heads for the nearest boat ramp.

But, Coastguard NZ is urging boaties to make sure their vessels are in good nick first, especially if they haven’t been used all winter.

Key things to check are: Fuel. Left for any length of time, fuel can degrade or become contaminated from condensation in the tank. Make sure you have fresh fuel before heading out. • Oil. Now’s a good time to get some fresh engine oil and replace the oil filter. • Engine. Engines don’t like inactivity, so paying attention to the engine before you hit the water is a good idea.

In terms of safety equipment, lifejackets are at the top of the list. Two-thirds of those who die in recreational boating accidents each year could have been saved if they had been wearing a lifejacket.
Coastguard’s Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade campaign is back this summer, providing an opportunity to trade in old lifejackets for a discount on a range of new, modern and fit-for-purpose Hutchwilco lifejackets.

The Old4New van will be the Orewa Boat Ramp on Sunday December 2, at 2pm. Visit old4new.nz to check out more dates and locations.