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Century Marine Pro battery

Checking your battery

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

Handheld flare

All about flares

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

Check your fuel before summer

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

Do you have a callsign?

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.

Snapper swimming in the water

Fishing regulations

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

Woman tying a knot

Five handy knots to know

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

Child on boat in yellow Hutchwilco lifejacket facing away from camera

Looking after your lifejackets

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

Checking out at sea trip reports

Making a Bar Crossing Report

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.

Other handy contacts

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

Lifejackets on a rack

Rent a lifejacket

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.

Two men in a boat following Coastguard safety rules

Safety and regulations

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

Boat on a trailer.

Taking care of your trailer

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

Person holding fish

The five principles of FishCare

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

Navigation diagram

The give way rules on the water

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

beautiful NZ weather

Things to check before you hit the water

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

Boatie's Best Mate.

Get a Coastguard membership today for peace of mind when you’re out boating.