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New to boating
![Century Marine Pro battery](/media/1334/checking-your-battery.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=400&height=300&rnd=132366502200000000)
Checking your battery
Avoid ruining a day on the water by making sure your battery is in good nick.
![Woman tying a knot](/media/1282/woman-tying-a-knot.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=400&height=300&rnd=132366502210000000)
Five handy knots to know
You're going to need to know some practical knots for boating.
![Navigation diagram](/media/1150/basics-of-navigation-1.png?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=400&height=300&rnd=132366483700000000)
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.
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What to do in an emergency
Most emergencies occur unexpectedly and very quickly. Being ready for any issue can help you and your mates survive a dramatic incident.
![boat crossing a bar](/media/1200/bar-crossing-1.jpg?center=0.38805970149253732,0.54929577464788737&mode=crop&width=400&height=300&rnd=131821281000000000)
Crossing a bar
Crossing a bar can be very dangerous. Check out our tips for getting across safely.
![Child with lifejacket](/media/1146/lifejacket-sizing-tips-for-kids.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=400&height=300&rnd=132366483700000000)
How to choose a well fitting lifejacket
A lifejacket is only good for saving your – or your child’s – life if it stays on snugly when you need it.
![beautiful NZ weather](/media/1428/weather-banner.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=400&height=300&rnd=132366502200000000)
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.
![fuel gauge on a boat](/media/1194/boat-fuel-guage-1200x600.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=400&height=300&rnd=132366502190000000)
Top 10 tips for boat maintenance
Check out our top 10 recommendations to keep your boat in tip top condition at all times.
![Duty officers in the Coastguard operations room taking trip reports](/media/1159/operations-centre-nico-do-colour.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=400&height=300&rnd=132366483700000000)
Trip reporting basics
A trip report (TR) is a message that you pass to Coastguard Radio to advise us of your intended boating activity.
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VHF Callsigns
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.
![beacon](/media/1302/motorcruiser.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=400&height=300&rnd=132366502200000000)
What you need on your boat
Here's the Coastguard approved list of what you should have on your vessel when you head out.
![Lifejackets on a rack](/media/1210/rental-lifejackets.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=400&height=300&rnd=131821438330000000)
Rent a lifejacket
Drowning Prevention Auckland lend out lifejackets to the public around Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Waikato.
![lifejacket](/media/1173/3a-kids.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=400&height=300&rnd=132366483700000000)
All about lifejackets
While it’s true that any lifejacket is better than none when you head out on the water, it’s a good idea to select the best lifejacket for your activity.
![clean NZ environment](/media/1211/lawton-neil-01.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=400&height=300&rnd=132366483850000000)
Protecting our marine environment
Here are three easy ways to keep yourself out of trouble and our marine environment clean.
![Two men in a boat following Coastguard safety rules](/media/1179/boaties-in-lifejackets-1500-550.jpg?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=400&height=300&rnd=131819644390000000)
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.
Boatie's Best Mate.
Get a Coastguard membership today for peace of mind when you’re out boating.