Boaties are being reminded to always have two reliable ways to call for help ahead of Safer Boating Week, which starts tomorrow.
There will be boat ramp workshops all week up until October 20 and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council will be reinforcing the message: If you can't call for help, you can't be rescued.
It said only 38 per cent of boaties take two waterproof ways to call for help and the most common device taken is a cellphone.
Bay of Plenty harbourmaster Peter Buell said Safer Boating Week had previously focused on lifejackets.
"Lifejackets and waterproof communications work together. A lifejacket helps you float and they have saved many lives, but if you can't call for help then there's no way to know you need rescuing."