Tuesday 9 December 2025
New rules and regulations governing navigational safety could be on the way for Otago’s waterways, with the opportunity for public input on a draft new bylaw from mid-January.
The previous Otago Regional Council Navigational Safety Bylaw, dating back to 2020, is now under review, with a revised set of rules and regulations expected to be in place by April next year following public feedback.
The bylaw regulates the movement of vessels on waterways such as Otago Harbour to improve safety. It also provides rules and regulations such as speed limits for vessels in harbours or at sea up to 12 nautical miles from the Otago Coast. The bylaw governs Lake Dunstan, but not Lakes Wakatipu, Wānaka or Hāwea, as these are managed by Queenstown Lakes District Council.
Otago Regional Councillor Andrew Noone says it is important that people who use the harbour and waterways covered by the bylaw read the draft document and provide their feedback from January 12 when submissions open.
“I have no doubt that there will be people who have views on how we can improve navigational safety. We want to hear from them if there’s anything we’ve missed, or if people believe these rules and regulations generally head in the right direction.”
The legislative background is that Council has a responsibility to manage navigation safety under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 (MTA). This Act empowers regional councils to make navigation safety bylaws to ensure maritime safety.
Otago Regional Council Harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook says most of the previous 2020 bylaw is expected to remain in place in the draft, with a few new additions. Aspects such as boat speed limits in certain areas, and the need to always wear life jackets on the water, for example, will remain unchanged.
One new proposal in the draft bylaw is for all commercial vessels carrying 12 or more passengers, both day and night, and all vessels 15 metres or more, to carry a mandatory Automatic Identification System (AIS).
“The AIS technology, which we are proposing to be carried by all boats, will mean vessels’ whereabouts can be plotted on a geo-tracking system. This will help them safely navigate around each other in the channels without mishap.”
“A lot of fishing boats already have these. The purpose of these tracking devices is to improve navigational safety and vessel management. The information will not be used for any other purpose. It is planned to provide a better navigational traffic picture to ensure safer outcomes for passenger-carrying recreational and commercial boaties and their passengers.”
An AIS system could cost a boat owner up to $2500.
Another proposal in the draft is to enact a 60-day period whereby boat users and owners cannot anchor in Otago Harbour after they have utilised a 14-day allowance to anchor in one place. This is aimed at preventing continuous shifting around the harbour by repeatedly dropping anchor in new locations.
Provide an online incident report option that is currently not available.
Consultation will open for the Otago Navigational Safety Bylaw review on January 12, accompanied by a short online survey.
The current (2020) Bylaw sets rules and regulations governing:
