Safety know-how a winner

By ROBIN BAILEY

Aucklander John Mead, from Grey Lynn, won the prize package in the New Zealand Herald safe boating competition.

A keen yachtsman and fisherman, Mead says the Stabi-Craft rig will allow his family to give their aquatic recreation a new dimension.

"I love fishing the Hauraki Gulf waters, and I also enjoy the challenge of chasing trout in the lakes and rivers of the North Island," he says. "The prize will enable us to take our boating a bit further afield."

Mead says the great prize package is what hooked him into the contest.

"With a background of 20 years sailing and fishing I felt reasonably confident I could get the answers right, but I admit I had to refer to the website for a few questions."

Phoned by the Herald with news of his win late on Monday, he collected children Alexandra, aged 8, and 5-year-old Simon from school and by mid-afternoon was at the Commodore Club on Princes Wharf to meet the sponsors and collect his prizes.

Here's what the winning entry delivered:

* A Stabi-Craft 595XR powered by a Yamaha 115hp four-stroke outboard.

* A braked dual-axle Mudgway trailer.

* A communications and electronics package from ENL, including a Lowrance fishfinder/GPS/chart-plotter; with Opua to Tauranga chart; Fusion stereo system and Uniden Solara VHF radio.

* Safety package from Hutchwilco, including Mariner lifejackets, Pains Wessex EPIRB, water toys, skis, sea biscuit and first-aid kit.

* Citizen yachtsman's watch.

* Coastguard Boating Education kit including Day Skipper and VHF courses, a copy of Safety in Small Craft and Auckland and Coromandel charts.

The prize package, worth more than $60,000, drew more than 1500 entrants. Water Safety New Zealand plans to evaluate them all and follow up on those who indicated they wanted more information about Coastguard boating education courses.

WSNZ marketing manager Chris Robinson says the contest proved valuable in promoting the skipper responsibility message.

Co-ordinated in conjunction with the Herald by WaterSafe Auckland, the competition also played a role in helping launch the regional Safe Summer campaign that runs through to the end of the America's Cup regatta.

Sandy Harrop, WaterSafe executive officer, says Auckland area feedback regarding the promotion has been excellent.

"We are particularly grateful for the support received through Auckland Volunteer Coastguard and Peter Leitch through his Mad Butcher stores. The Safe Boating, an essential guide booklets, which contained the answers to the contest questions, were available in his shops as well as through marine outlets and on line. "

WaterSafe Auckland is keen to hear from entrants, to find out whether the questions were too hard of if the six-week period proved daunting. They also want to know if taking part improved knowledge of skipper responsibility.

Comments should be addressed to:
Safe Skipper Contest, WaterSafe Auckland
PO Box 90 515, Auckland Mail Centre
Email watersafe.ak@xtra.co.nz