New App for boating regulations in New Zealand

by Sail-World Cruising on 31 Dec 2013 New Zealand sailors will be happy to know that there's a free new smartphone app has been developed to help boaties and water enthusiasts easily navigate boating regulations across New Zealand.

So, heading for a day out on the water? Take Marine Mate with you, your boating information guide for New Zealand.

No matter which region you're in, Marine Mate has local information such as speed limits, mooring zones, towing access lanes, boat ramp locations, local area notices and tides right at your finger tips.

Need to find a nearby boat ramp? See when the high tide is? By tapping on the 'My Location' button, the app shows nearby zones that as a responsible boatie, you should know of. The 'area notices' button brings in the very latest notices for the region, keeping you up to speed with what's happening in the region.

Yes, MarineMate, which can be used on iPhone, iPad and android smartphones, provides information on boating regulations as well as tide times, boat ramp locations and essential information on safe boating practices.

Southland deputy harbourmaster Lyndon Cleaver said the month-old app would benefit sailors and councils alike.

'It will be useful for boaties in that they will be aware if regulations in one region are different from another.

'It will be useful for us also because when people log in for the first time and answer the new user questions, we then know the types of vessels people are using and the kinds of safety equipment they have on board,' he said.

Regional councils were asked to supply maritime information such as regulations and boat ramp locations in their areas, which was then incorporated into the app.

Mr Cleaver said although updates for MarineMate are downloaded, it can be used offline and also provides a link to a free New Zealand fishing rules app.

Originally an initiative of the Waikato Regional Council, MarineMate was developed with funding from Maritime NZ, ACC, Land Information New Zealand and regional councils.

For more information, click here.