FED Funding

Maritime NZ recently announced the recipients of the annual Fuel Excise Duty (FED) funding for safer boating initiatives to help reduce recreational boating fatalities and injuries. More than $740,000 in funding is distributed to 21 on-water and land-based safer boating initiatives as part of the 2021 Safer Boating Campaign. 

The FED Funding recognises that annually there are too many preventable deaths on the water and enables Maritime NZ to work with, and support, a wide range of initiatives with safer boating partners aimed at turning this around.

Pasifika Boat Users

Coastguard Boating Education was recognised for its work with Folau Malu – (Journey Safely) Pasifika Boating Education. It was awarded just over $69,000 to continue its national programme to educate Pasifika boat users on Coastguard NZ Day Skipper course, In-water Survival course and Maritime VHF Radio Operator’s Certificate.

“Funding a range of safer boating programmes, in a number of regions, with different partners, ensures we can educate and reach a range of communities and make an impact on behaviours before people get on to boats as well as on the water.”

Kirstie Hewlett, Maritime Director

The Folau Malu Programme

The Programme covers three key areas of boating education, which Coastguard Boating Education has developed over many years:

The Day Skipper course delivers a complete introduction to boating, including boat handling, weather planning and navigation so that those who complete it should have a better day out on the water, armed with the knowledge to make informed decisions. 

The In-Water Survival Course focuses on safety equipment which should be carried on any vessel. It highlights the potential risks aboard a small vessel, and suggests the best safety equipment to carry, how it functions, and how to properly use it. The course includes a practical, in-water component intended to reduce the number of fatalities at sea.

The Maritime VHF Radio Operator’s Certificate is a legal requirement for anyone wishing to operate a marine VHF radio. The course teaches people how to use a marine VHF radio correctly and with confidence: a must in any emergency. It also shows how a marine VHF radio can be used for receiving weather forecasts, safety information, communicating between boats, or communicating from boat to shore.

“A third of all boaties do not undertake any special planning before they head out onto the water. Coastguard Boating Education’s Pasifika Programme helps ensure that this community is not part of that statistic, by providing education and training both on and off the water, enabling boaties to plan their trips better and make informed decisions on the water.

Kirstin Brown, Coastguard Boating Education

By Boaties, for Boaties

“We are very grateful to Maritime New Zealand for recognising our work, and to all our fellow boaties who help finance this fund through their purchase of fuel each year. Together we are making a difference and helping to ensure that everyone enjoys a better time out on the water.” 

Kirstin Brown, Coastguard Boating Education