Articles

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

To help keep you safe out on the water, Coastguard Northern Region – with the help of our friends at Hutchwilco – operate a lifejacket rental service to cover you no matter what situation you're faced with.

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

We give you tips on how to keep your boat trailer in top condition.

FishCare promotes best practice techniques to help people contribute to fishery and environmental sustainability.

If you’re looking to take a boat out for the first time, you need to know the rules of the road at sea.

Make sure you kick off your boat trip smoothly, by checking these key things every time you head out.