Petition proposing a safer area at Leigh due to boat/diver accident

[kirlu7]

Hi there fellow lovers of the water,

As some people now I was run over by a boat at the outpost two years ago when spearfishing 5-7m off from the rocks (with flag and float). This accident resulted in a broken arm from the propeller and issues with my arm since then.
Maritime is still working on this case (Only two years so far

) and I am wanting to propose to them, the council and the harbour master that there is done something around the Island (Panetiki Island / Outpost) to insure that any future accidents like mine is avoided!


As this is an area that is used by many different people such as Scuba divers, Scuba Schools, Swimmers, Fishermen from boats, and spearos, there have been many close calls involving boats and people in the water over the last many years.


Therefore I am thinking of a solution that require 3 (maybe 4) buoys 50 meters from land around the island, indicating that all moving boat/motor traffic must stay on seaside of these.
Boats are still allowed to move at low speed into this area to anchor up etc, but have to do this in the shortest route as possible from the line 50m mark (also when leaving).

A poster should also be added at the Leigh wharf to inform people entering the water about this area.


Here is a picture of what I had in mind. (Red marks are the buoys at 50m from land)

Now what I would like from as many possible interested in a safer future at this spot to put their signatures (name and email) in the online petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/panetiki-island-the-outpost-leigh-buoys-needed/


I will bring the result to the above mentioned, hoping they realize the need of this when seeing the signatures and will approve it.


If needed (due to "cost" issues) then I will be keen to do the work and set up the buoys etc, and hopefully others also want to give a hand to keep an eye on these buoys when visiting this spot, and check if repairs are needed etc.


Please forward the link Petition Panetiki Island (The Outpost), Leigh: Buoys requested for safety of those in the water. to anyone you know that may also have an interest in this becoming a reality.


Thanks

Ulrik Pedersen

 

[buddhasummer]

As a fellow Kiwi and Auckand diver, done. Good luck with the petition.

amend that, cannot access via iPad, will do from desktop when home.

 

[vincent54]

Done. Safe diving in the future

 

[kirlu7]

Awesome, Please spread the word to other divers using that area etc..

Cheers

 

[Frosty]

OP if I could ask--what the heck was a boat doing 5.0m from the rocks there?it would seem like a recipy for disaster to me.
Good luck with the petition. I had a bit of a scare from a scolly dredge not far from there.

 

[kaerius]

There was a similar incident in cyprus a few years ago, where despite a dive flag, a police boat struck and killed a surfacing diver.

 

[kirlu7]

Hi there..
The outcome of the petition mentioned earlier, was that the harbor master is not keen at all on setting these buoys up, as they need to be maintained and looked after

What they they did agree upon was setting up some signs at different wharfs that warn boaties about dangerous areas, where divers/swimmers etc could be on a frequent basis. (don't know when this will happen yet)
MNZ didn’t do much at all with the whole accident issue I had 2.5 years ago, but here is the newest publication from them on boat safety.. (On page 10-11 there is a big section on their recommendations on how to be safe in the water.. )
http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/Publications-and-forms/Lookout/Lookout.asp

I think it is good they finally realize that there are other than boats in the water that boaties need to be careful about and that they are giving good advice on how to be safe.
Only thing I think they have really messed up is the picture with the boat and the spearfisher underneath, having a 50m distance written on it. That will be what people will remember when seeing this.. -And not the: Dive flag = 5knots in a radius of 200m law as they are preaching all the time..


I know it is supposed to explain that divers/swimmers/spearfishers are not always directly beneath the flag, but can be up to 50 away from it (or more)
If they wanted to have this 50m boundary stated then I recon there should have been another incoming boat on the same picture, with the boundary of 200m attached with a 5knots MAX written next to it.

If you think something should be done with this article when please feel free to write a letter to MNZ(enquiries@maritimenz.govt.nz or at http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/Contact-us/Customer-feedback.asp) and mention this or other concerns you may have with their first article 100% incorporating people in the water.

I am not able to do more due to my current/past involvement, but think it should be "black and white" in an article when it comes to safety!

And again.. If you or anyone you know have and accident or even a near miss with a boat not seeing you (or ignores your float and flag and come too close) then make sure you repport it to MNZ on their website! So when something does happen there is a history of that boat / location...

Report these accidents/incidents to: http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/report-online/

Thanks