A coroner who investigated a fatal fishing trip is urging that it become compulsory for all recreational boat owners and operators to carry emergency locator beacons.
Authorities 3 News spoke to today like the idea of compulsory beacons, but other interest groups question whether it would be possible to enforce the law.
There are 450,000 recreational vessels in New Zealand, but only 17,000 registered emergency locator beacons.
"Bear in mind that the 450,000 is every type and class of recreational boat from a small kayak to a larger pleasure craft," says Nigel Clifford.
Last year, 17 people drowned in recreational boating accidents. One of those was Geoffrey Hampton, whose fishing boat sank, on his birthday.
A coroner's report released today found Mr Hampton's death was caused by a combination of mistakes by the police, the Wanganui Coastguard and the three men in the boat.
In addition to changes to rescue procedures, the coroner recommends "that it be made compulsory for recreational boat owners/operators to carry either a 406MHZ EPIRB, or a 406MHZ PLB whenever they are on the water".
"It's great to make that recommendation, but whether or not you can enforce it or indeed people actually act on the advice remains to be seen," says Graeme Sinclair.
Maritime New Zealand says the coroner has got it right,
"There are maritime inspectors, the police do get involved in looking at the compliance with regulation but that's a difficult area when you're looking at that number of boats," says Mr Clifford.
And the beacons do not come cheap. A 406 personal locator beacon which is waterproof, will float in the water, and is equipped with GPS, will set you back around $900.
The beacons that attach to a vessel, but float free in event of an accident, cost up to $1500.
Maritime NZ says personal beacons are small, so the size of a vessel should not be an issue.
But boaties 3 News spoke to were divided.
Maritime NZ is already proposing that it be mandatory to carry communication equipment on boats, and is now adding the coroner's recommendation. The proposal will go to the minister and for public consultation later in the year.
3 News