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		<title>Updates to Busy boating season ahead as Waikato welcomes Aucklanders back page</title>
		<link>https://subsite.waikatoregion.govt.nz/community/whats-happening/news/media-releases/busy-boating-season-ahead-as-waikato-welcomes-aucklanders-back/changes/</link>
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				<title>Busy boating season ahead as Waikato welcomes Aucklanders back</title>
				<link>https://subsite.waikatoregion.govt.nz/community/whats-happening/news/media-releases/busy-boating-season-ahead-as-waikato-welcomes-aucklanders-back/</link>
				<description>
					
					
						&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;Waikato Regional Council’s new harbourmaster is urging boaties to be vigilant, with visitor numbers expected to spike this summer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The warning comes following the eagerly anticipated opening of the Auckland border and as the council gears up for its routine increase in patrols over the peak season.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Regional Harbourmaster Chris Bredenbeck said: “It’s been a funny old year, so we’re excited to see locals and visitors alike getting back to it and having fun on the water this summer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“But we’re already seeing higher than usual activity as people blow off the cobwebs, and we’re expecting it to get a lot busier still. Anecdotally it looks like there’ll be more vessels – understandably there&#039;s enormous demand for people to do things locally, and we’ve been told new jet skis coming in from overseas are already pre-sold.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“So, we’re calling on people to make sure they know the rules before they head out. Always wear a lifejacket. Always watch your speed. And always carry two types of waterproof comms so you can call for help if you need to.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Mr Bredenbeck recently took over from former Regional Harbourmaster Richard Barnett, who retired this month after 15 years with the regional council.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Richard played a major role in influencing positive behaviour change in our region, with lifejacket compliance now sitting at about 96 per cent.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Those are some big shoes to fill, but it’s a privilege to be able crack on, build on that good work and continue keeping our waterways safe for everyone to enjoy.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The council takes a no excuses approach to rule breaking. Anyone caught speeding or not wearing or carrying a lifejacket as required can expect to receive a breach notice that could lead to a $200 fine.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Unsafe behaviour on the water as well as maritime hazards and incidents should be reported to the Maritime Services team at Waikato Regional Council on 0800 800 &lt;del&gt;402.&lt;/del&gt; &lt;ins&gt;401.&lt;/ins&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
					
				</description>
				<pubDate>Thu, 16 Dec 2021 08:23:10 +1300</pubDate>
				<guid>https://subsite.waikatoregion.govt.nz/community/whats-happening/news/media-releases/busy-boating-season-ahead-as-waikato-welcomes-aucklanders-back/</guid>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title>Busy boating season ahead as Waikato welcomes Aucklanders back</title>
				<link>https://subsite.waikatoregion.govt.nz/community/whats-happening/news/media-releases/busy-boating-season-ahead-as-waikato-welcomes-aucklanders-back/</link>
				<description>
					
					
						&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;Waikato Regional Council’s new harbourmaster is urging boaties to be vigilant, with visitor numbers expected to spike this summer.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The warning comes following the eagerly anticipated opening of the Auckland border and as the council gears up for its routine increase in patrols over the peak season.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Regional Harbourmaster Chris Bredenbeck said: “It’s been a funny old year, so we’re excited to see locals and visitors alike getting back to it and having fun on the water this summer.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“But we’re already seeing higher than usual activity as people blow off the cobwebs, and we’re expecting it to get a lot busier still. Anecdotally it looks like there’ll be more vessels – understandably there&#039;s enormous demand for people to do things locally, and we’ve been told new jet skis coming in from overseas are already pre-sold.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“So, we’re calling on people to make sure they know the rules before they head out. Always wear a lifejacket. Always watch your speed. And always carry two types of waterproof comms so you can call for help if you need to.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Mr Bredenbeck recently took over from former Regional Harbourmaster Richard Barnett, who retired this month after 15 years with the regional council.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Richard played a major role in influencing positive behaviour change in our region, with lifejacket compliance now sitting at about 96 per cent.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Those are some big shoes to fill, but it’s a privilege to be able crack on, build on that good work and continue keeping our waterways safe for everyone to enjoy.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The council takes a no excuses approach to rule breaking. Anyone caught speeding or not wearing or carrying a lifejacket as required can expect to receive a breach notice that could lead to a $200 fine.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Unsafe behaviour on the water as well as maritime hazards and incidents should be reported to the Maritime Services team at Waikato Regional Council on 0800 800 402.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
					
				</description>
				<pubDate>Thu, 16 Dec 2021 08:23:10 +1300</pubDate>
				<guid>https://subsite.waikatoregion.govt.nz/community/whats-happening/news/media-releases/busy-boating-season-ahead-as-waikato-welcomes-aucklanders-back/</guid>
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