Thread: Navigation safety protocols and Standard Operating Procedures

No special bylaws on the Whanganui according to this from an article from May of this year..."Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall wants a navigation bylaw covering the Whanganui River and says it a "perversity" the region's busiest river doesn't have one."

The DOC website is a bit confusing...I think they are assuming that kayakers are always heading downstream.

"Stay on the true right whenever possible. The true right is the right hand side when facing downstream.

Be aware of jet boats and know what to do. This is essential for a safe trip.

When a jet boat approaches:
Move to the right hand side of the river, unless you’re already close to the other side. If you’re close to the left, stick to the left – don’t paddle across the path of the approaching boat"

The DOC website also says
"Crafts travelling up river must give way to crafts travelling down the river. However, jet boats in rapids cannot slow down or stop."

This I have heard before, and makes sense as vessels heading upstream usually have more control than those heading downstream.