Editorial: We need stricter controls on boats

Be safe in the water.

It is a quirk of this country's attitude to enforcement, and indicative of the freedom New Zealanders enjoy, that we are not punished for misbehaviour on the water.

As our lead story demonstrates today, there is real concern that a cruise ship and pleasure craft could collide and, if they do, it is unlikely to be the ship's fault.

There is an unkind simile sometimes applied to ageing sports stars ... "turns like a ship".

It implies sloth-like reactions, slowness.

A personal experience while anchored at night in the channel off Onerahi, Whangarei, in a small boat, made me acutely aware that, when it comes to ship vs boat encounters, the onus is on the small boat to get out of the way.

Particularly if you are not safely lit, and daydreaming at night of the fish you might catch.

There should be fines imposed for craft that venture within a certain radius of a ship.

There are restrictions for passing near Whangarei's deep water port and oil refinery - why not penalties and rules for ships?

Why do we pay $150 for a seatbelt fine but rarely hear of penalties imposed for not wearing a lifejacket?

Because lifejacket rules are vague and unenforceable.

We hear about zero tolerance speed on our roads. How often is a vessel owner punished for not adhering to the "five knots (walking speed) only within 200 metres of shore" rule?

New Zealand's water safety culture is embarrassing, no wonder people drown.

The recklessness with which we operate water craft is endemic, and permeates into our attitudes in general toward the water.

We do not have enough respect for the ocean, our lakes, our waters. Start fining people who misbehave on the water to create the revenue stream to sustain ongoing policing and education.

We should ensure there are consequences for stupid actions, although will any of this happen when we have a Government who won't take the plunge to invest in water-based enforcement ?