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Century Marine Pro battery

Checking your battery

Avoid ruining a day on the water by making sure your battery is in good nick.

Handheld flare

All about flares

If you're in an emergency and you need to attract attention, you need to know how to use flares safely and effectively.

lifejacket

All about lifejackets

While it’s true that any lifejacket is better than none when you head out on the water, it’s a good idea to select the best lifejacket for your activity.

Check your fuel before summer

If your boat has been laid up over winter, now’s a good time to check over it before you head back out. 

boat crossing a bar

Crossing a bar

Crossing a bar can be very dangerous. Check out our tips for getting across safely.

Do you have a callsign?

All VHF radio transmissions in New Zealand are legally required to be individually identifiable, and the best way to do this is with a callsign.

Snapper swimming in the water

Fishing regulations

At Coastguard we’re all about people being responsible boaties, but we also want you to be responsible fishos out there.

Woman tying a knot

Five handy knots to know

You're going to need to know some practical knots for boating.

Child with lifejacket

How to choose a well fitting lifejacket

A lifejacket is only good for saving your – or your child’s – life if it stays on snugly when you need it.

Child on boat in yellow Hutchwilco lifejacket facing away from camera

Looking after your lifejackets

Read our tips on how to best care for your lifejacket over the years.

Drawing of white and blue dive flag

Looking out for divers

The role of boatperson is a key one for a safe and enjoyable dive. Establish and agree on a plan before leaving the boat.

Checking out at sea trip reports

Making a Bar Crossing Report

Crossing a bar is dangerous. A Bar Crossing Report can be made via VHF radio or cellphone, to let Coastguard know and keep watch as you head out over a bar.

Other handy contacts

A list of handy contact details to make sure you know who to get hold of when out at sea.

clean NZ environment

Protecting our marine environment

Here are three easy ways to keep yourself out of trouble and our marine environment clean.

Lifejackets on a rack

Rent a lifejacket

Drowning Prevention Auckland lend out lifejackets to the public around Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Waikato.

Two men in a boat following Coastguard safety rules

Safety and regulations

Just like driving a car on the road, there are a laws and safety regulations for when you’re out on the water.

Boatie's Best Mate.

Get a Coastguard membership today for peace of mind when you’re out boating.