New research released by Maritime New Zealand this week suggests 51 percent of New Zealanders might have taken to the water in recreational boats last summer (2015-16).
In a Bay of Plenty Regional Council statement released today, safer boating officer Tony Pearce said the research showed there were more boaties on the water than ever before and as a result boating safety is increasingly important.
"What this increase means is there are more occasional boaties on the water in a variety of boats, paddleboards and other craft with some not understanding how to be safe, and without the right equipment.''
The recently released research report also indicates that fewer people were reported wearing a lifejacket all the time they were on the water. Those most likely to wear lifejackets were kayakers - 81 per cent reported they always wore lifejackets.
Least likely to always wear lifejackets were powerboat users - 52 per cent - down from 61 percent in 2014. Powerboat users are the second largest group of boaties, 64 per cent of whom are male.