Harbourmaster warns boaties to be aware of river conditions

The Southland harbourmaster is warning boaties to be aware of changing river conditions and their skills after two accidents on the Oreti River within a fortnight.

Lyndon Cleaver said on Saturday (28 September ) three people were hospitalised after their dinghy sank in a the Oreti River near West Plains, two weeks earlier on 14 September four people were thrown from a jetboat that hit a submerged rock on the Oreti River near centre hill.

After a winter of record rainfalls Southland’s rivers are experiencing high flows resulting in changes to waterways, and with the fishing season opening on Monday (October 1) more people were likely to be out an about on rivers.

“Even if you think you know the river well, expect the unexpected.”

It was an eagle eyed member of the public who raised the alarm in the most recent incident, calling emergency services after spotting one of the men clinging to a tote tank (plastic fuel tank) in the flooded river.

He was pulled from the water after an hour, and the other two people on the boat were found upriver, where they had managed to make their own way ashore. All had been wearing lifejackets, which would have helped to save their lives. All three were treated for hypothermia.

“It was a very close call.

“It’s been a long wet winter. I know people will be keen to get back out onto the water. Before you do, check your boat, if it’s got a motor, get it serviced, check the weather, check the river conditions, check the rules.

“Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back, have two forms of communication onboard and always wear a lifejacket – these are the things that help save lives and bring you home to your loved ones when something does go wrong,” Lyndon Cleaver said.

A regional speed restriction of 5 knots, within 200m of the shore applies to all Southland freshwater rivers, and unless operating within an area of the river where an approved or periodic speed uplift is in place then the restricted speed limit is no more than 5 knots, which is like a fast-walking pace.

Boating clubs can apply for a temporary speed uplift through the regional harbourmaster which must be accompanied by a safety plan.

All Southland’s periodic river speed uplift areas and dates when these are effective can be viewed on the maps section of the Environment Southland website.