If not in a waterski access lane or waterski area, do not exceed 5 knots (about 9 kilometres per hour):
Read the Navigation Safety Bylaw (pdf 3.3 MB)
The Navigation Safety Bylaw has been updated. The changes are summarised in this flyer (pdf 141 KB).
Note: Inexperienced boaties should take a Coastguard Boating Education course.
Honourary launch wardens will be checking on boating safety during the summer. They are there to help and advise you about safety on the water.
Although the Tasman District Council Launch Wardens are there in an educative role, they do have the powers to enforce provisions of Council Bylaws relating to water safety. All Wardens carry ID.
If they ask for your name and address, you are legally obligated to supply information if you are in charge of a vessel.
Launch Wardens are unpaid volunteers, please respect their advice as they have a wealth of experience and the safety of all water users at heart.
The two most convenient sources of marine forecasts, including the five-day outlook are:
Phone 03 543 8400
VHF channel 16
Tasman District Council, 189 Queen Street, Richmond, Nelson, 7020, New Zealand
Phone 03 525 8174 or 027 446 3891
VHF channels 28 or 60
Fuel and water supplies are available at several wharves and marinas around the district.
All marine fuel transfer points (shore to ship) must have a Tier-1 Site Oil Spill Contingency Plan approved by Council’s Regional On-Scene Commander (ROSC), under Maritime Rules.
Maritime New Zealand enforces these rules, and severe penalties apply for failure to have such a plan in place when a fuel transfer occurs.
If you are ordering a fuel delivery from a mobile tanker, check that they are approved by asking the supplier to produce their approved Tier-1 plan, or contact the Regional On-Scene Commander on 03 543 8400.
There are no permanent marine fuelling points for petrol in Tasman District. Small craft users can obtain petrol using portable containers from standard service stations within easy walking distance of the ramps at Kaiteriteri and Collingwood.
There are two diesel marine fuelling points in the district. Port users may use the site at the main wharf at Port Tarakohe using an NPD fuel card.
There is also a pump intended for fishing vessels at Talley’s wharf at Port Motueka. Contact Talley’s on 03 528 2800 to arrange access.
Certain mobile tanker operators are approved to transfer Light Fuel Oil at certain wharves in the District. In general however, ships requiring Light Fuel Oil and heavier oils should bunker at Port Nelson.
Potable water is available at the wharves and marinas at Māpua, Motueka and Tarakohe.
Water is also available from the following locations. Those marked with a * are not necessarily from a designated drinking water supply, so should be treated with caution.
*Note: This water is known to be contaminated with faecal coliforms and should be treated before use. Recommended methods are boiling or batch treating with chlorine at a rate of 3g/m3 (e.g a bottle-capful of Clor-o-gene or Budget Household Bleach per 100L).
Our Harbourmaster deals with incidents and accidents on the water all year round but especially during the summer months.
While there are a few unforeseen mishaps, most incidents can be avoided.
One of the main problems is a lack of attention when skippers and boat operators don’t keep a good lookout, which is especially important around the very busy areas like Kaiteriteri, parts of the Abel Tasman and Tata Beach. This has resulted in a number of accidents, becoming more frequent as increasing numbers of jet skiers ( personal watercraft riders) and swimmers, particularly long-distance sea swimmers occupy the same spaces.
There are a couple of critical rules everyone should keep in mind.
Remember being on the water is just like driving a car on the road. Don’t trust everyone else to be doing the right thing – be a defensive boatie.
A wave buoy is bobbing in Tasman Bay, providing free and accessible information on how our waves are faring as well as helping with navigational safety.
Our Natural Hazards team has established a relationship with Canterbury University who have supplied us with the wave buoy – free of charge.
The only requirement is that we deploy and maintain it ourselves – a minor investment for having some great information at our disposal.
The data provided assists recreation vessels and commercial operators, out for a fish, a cruise up the park, or business as usual. The data will aid good decision making and is available 24-7 to everyone.
The buoy was deployed in March 2025. It is positioned around 6km off the coast of Bark Bay at the 30m contour line.
The spotter buoys measure wave motions using GPS positioning and transmit their data via satellite or cell network to the South Island Waves website, where live wave and weather data is updated at least every hour.
The buoy provides real-time wave height, period, and direction data, as well as wind speed, direction, and water temperature, enabling quick decision-making for safe navigation.
It can also send out real-time warnings when wave heights reach a threshold which enables effective real-time emergency management decisions.
Hazard identification and environmental monitoring are other key benefits of the buoy.
Comprehensive data collection enhances understanding of ocean conditions, supporting safer and more efficient marine operations.
You can view the latest data at southislandwaves.co.nz.
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