Auckland Harbourmaster Andrew Hayton is urging water users to slow down and wear lifejackets as summer crowds pack the harbour.

So far this year, 70 people have died in water incidents in New Zealand.

Most were swimmers who drowned.

Several incidents involved recreational craft such as boats and jetskis, with 16 deaths.

Ten of those deaths were preventable because people weren’t wearing lifejackets.

“Every death or injury off our beaches is an avoidable tragedy,” Hayton says.

He says most happen because people don’t follow the rules in place to prevent these incidents.

The Harbourmaster’s Operations Manager, Marc Davis, says boaties “especially are mostly compliant”, with 24 infringements issued so far this summer.

He warns it only takes “one person’s reckless actions” to put many lives at risk.

Auckland Transport’s rules for recreational craft include lifejackets for everyone on vessels under 6 metres unless permitted otherwise, and a 5-knot limit within 200m of shore, structures, diver flags, or within 50m of other boats or swimmers.

It is illegal to be in charge of a vessel if impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Jetski riders are reminded that speeding in these zones can bring a $200 fine, as can piloting an unregistered jetski.

Riders must be 15 or over for faster craft, and should always wear a lifejacket.

There’s also a reminder to follow beach driving and parking rules during launching or retrieval.

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