Tasman boating rules: lifejackets, speed and the local bylaw
The rules on Tasman waters, from the regional authority and Maritime NZ, linked line by line: lifejackets, speed limits, jet skis, paddle craft and who looks after the water.
From Friday 9 October 2026, everyone on board recreational craft 6 m or under must wear a lifejacket while underway.
It applies on all waters — coast, harbours, lakes and rivers — and covers kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis, dinghies and tenders. “Underway” means not at anchor, aground, or tied to a dock or the shore, so drifting counts. Penalties for the new rule have not been created yet. Who must wear one, exemptions and how to measure 6 m →
Emergency on the water
How to call Coastguard: 111, Channel 16 or *500
Navigation safety bylaw in Tasman
Tasman District Council Navigation Safety Bylaw 2024
Tasman District Council Navigation Safety Bylaw 2024 (made 24 October 2024, in force 1 December 2024; minor amendment 13 February 2025)
Who looks after the water: Tasman District Council – Regional Harbourmaster
Lifejacket rules in the bylaw
Bylaw cl 7. Pleasure craft 6 m or less: while underway everyone must wear a properly secured, correctly sized PFD (no skipper waiver); when not underway, enough correctly sized PFDs must be on board and readily accessible. Vessels over 6 m: enough lifejackets for everyone, and everyone must wear one if the person in charge says so (Part 91 heightened-risk wearing still applies). Exceptions (unless the Harbourmaster or an enforcement officer directs otherwise): people exempted under Maritime Rules Part 91 or by the Director of Maritime NZ; sporting, training, customary or ceremonial events with a support vessel carrying enough PFDs. Council flyer: jet ski riders, kayakers and SUP users must wear a correctly fitted lifejacket/PFD.
Source: tasman.govt.nz
Where the bylaw conflicts with the national law above, the national law applies from 9 October 2026 (Coastguard: councils have up to five years to update their bylaws).
Harbourmaster and council contacts
Tasman Regional Harbourmaster: 03 543 8400, harbourmaster@tasman.govt.nz, VHF Ch 16 (as published; not labelled 24/7). Port Tarakohe manager: 03 525 8174 or 027 446 3891, VHF 28 or 60. Council flyer: in an emergency call 111 or VHF Ch 16. Emergencies: 111.
These are published contacts for reporting hazards and asking about the rules. In an emergency call 111 and ask for Police, or use VHF Channel 16.
Speed limits on Tasman waters
5 knots within 200 m of the shore, any structure or a vessel showing a dive flag; within 50 m of any other vessel or a swimmer; and on a powerboat when anyone has part of their body outside the rails or deck edge (council flyer). Max 3 knots in designated 'go slow' (no-wake) anchorages/areas listed in Schedules 1 and 2 (cl 29.3). Any speed may be used to safely cross a river-mouth bar (cl 29.4). Wake or draw-off must not endanger people or property (cl 29.2). Speed limits are uplifted in reserved water-ski/high-speed areas when in use for the priority activity (e.g. the Traverse/Rabbit Island and Mapua areas). Keep clear of large ships within 3 NM of the Abel Tasman coast (flyer).
Jet ski (PWC) rules and registration
No separate PWC registration or licence. Jet skis count as trailer-borne vessels and must display their trailer registration (min 90 mm) above the waterline on each side (cl 30, flyer). Riders must wear a lifejacket and carry two forms of waterproof communication. Minimum age: national rule (under 15 only with direct supervision within reach of the controls). PWCs (with WIG craft, hovercraft and kite-propelled craft) are prohibited at all times in the Marahau prohibited area; reserved shared high-speed areas for water-skiing and PWCs exist (e.g. the Traverse, where PWCs have first priority at the boat-ramp reserved area).
Kayak, paddle board and kite rules
SUPs: must wear a correctly fitted PFD; within 200 m of shore carry one form of waterproof communication (voice/whistle counts if watched from shore), beyond 200 m carry two and make sure you are clearly visible (hi-vis PFD/equipment or lights, cl 30.5); SUPs are exempt from vessel ID. Kayaks: lifejacket worn, same communication rules. Kite-propelled craft are prohibited in the Marahau prohibited area, and Adele Island has a prohibited area for certain power craft and kite boarding.
Other Tasman rules
Person in charge must be nominated before a voyage and must not be impaired by alcohol, drugs or fatigue (council flyer). Two forms of waterproof communication on all vessels. Trailer boats display trailer registration on both sides (min 90 mm). Kaiteriteri: swimming/passive area where power-driven vessels are prohibited; marked water-ski area around high tide (Labour Weekend to end of daylight saving); 5-knot access lane at the ramp. Access lanes for the Motueka bar approaches and the Mapua Channel (Grossi Point – Mapua bar). All maritime accidents, incidents and mishaps must be reported to Maritime NZ (directly or via the Harbourmaster). New infringement fees regulations for this bylaw take effect 22 October 2026.
Popular boating waters in Tasman
- Kaiteriteri
- Marahau and the Abel Tasman coast
- Mapua and Waimea Inlet
- Motueka
- Rabbit Island / The Traverse
- Golden Bay (Pōhara, Tarakohe, Collingwood)
- Lake Rotoiti (Nelson Lakes)
Some of the waters local boaties know best. This is our list, not an official one, and it isn’t complete.
VesselSOS on Tasman waters
- Life in danger? Tap “Yes” and the app dials 111. The screen shows your GPS position in words and a word-for-word script that starts “Police. Boat emergency, I’m on the water.”, then where you are and what happened.
- The rescue-centre list also has RCCNZ (0508 472 269) as a second Call button for offshore, and a VHF Channel 16 MAYDAY text filled with your boat’s details for you to read on your own radio.
- A live link for family ashore (Plus, free during the beta): your position, speed, course and phone battery in any browser, no app needed on their end. You send it by text yourself.
- Not an emergency? Tap “No” for Coastguard’s non-urgent line, 0800 262 843 option 1 (the same help as *500, which iPhone apps can’t dial).
What it doesn’t do: it doesn’t log a Coastguard trip report or bar crossing report, and it isn’t connected to 111, Police, Coastguard or RCCNZ. Nobody is alerted automatically if you’re late: the return-time check only asks “Are you OK?” on your own phone. The Coastguard app does text your shore contact after three unanswered prompts, so log your trip with Coastguard as well. A phone doesn’t replace a VHF radio, an EPIRB or PLB, or a lifejacket.
iPhone only, in invite-only TestFlight beta. Not in the App Store yet, no Android. New Zealand support (111 routing) is in beta version 1.5 and later.
Quick answers
Do you have to wear a lifejacket in Tasman?
From Friday 9 October 2026, everyone on board recreational craft 6 m or under must wear a lifejacket while underway, everywhere in New Zealand, Tasman included. The regional rule: Bylaw cl 7. Pleasure craft 6 m or less: while underway everyone must wear a properly secured, correctly sized PFD (no skipper waiver); when not underway, enough correctly sized PFDs must be on board and readily accessible. Vessels over 6 m: enough lifejackets for everyone, and everyone must wear one if the person in charge says so (Part 91 heightened-risk wearing still applies). Exceptions (unless the Harbourmaster or an enforcement officer directs otherwise): people exempted under Maritime Rules Part 91 or by the Director of Maritime NZ; sporting, training, customary or ceremonial events with a support vessel carrying enough PFDs. Council flyer: jet ski riders, kayakers and SUP users must wear a correctly fitted lifejacket/PFD.
What is the speed limit near the shore in Tasman?
5 knots within 200 m of the shore, any structure or a vessel showing a dive flag; within 50 m of any other vessel or a swimmer; and on a powerboat when anyone has part of their body outside the rails or deck edge (council flyer). Max 3 knots in designated 'go slow' (no-wake) anchorages/areas listed in Schedules 1 and 2 (cl 29.3). Any speed may be used to safely cross a river-mouth bar (cl 29.4). Wake or draw-off must not endanger people or property (cl 29.2). Speed limits are uplifted in reserved water-ski/high-speed areas when in use for the priority activity (e.g. the Traverse/Rabbit Island and Mapua areas). Keep clear of large ships within 3 NM of the Abel Tasman coast (flyer).
Do jet skis need to be registered in Tasman?
No separate PWC registration or licence. Jet skis count as trailer-borne vessels and must display their trailer registration (min 90 mm) above the waterline on each side (cl 30, flyer). Riders must wear a lifejacket and carry two forms of waterproof communication. Minimum age: national rule (under 15 only with direct supervision within reach of the controls). PWCs (with WIG craft, hovercraft and kite-propelled craft) are prohibited at all times in the Marahau prohibited area; reserved shared high-speed areas for water-skiing and PWCs exist (e.g. the Traverse, where PWCs have first priority at the boat-ramp reserved area).
Sources
Regional authority: Tasman District Council – Regional Harbourmaster
- https://www.tasman.govt.nz/my-region/recreation/maritime
- https://www.tasman.govt.nz/document/serve/Navigation%20Safety%20Bylaw%202024%20-%20amended%2013.02.2025.pdf?DocID=36187
- https://www.tasman.govt.nz/document/serve/Navigation%20Safety%20Bylaw%20A5%20Flyer%20Nov24.pdf?DocID=35981
- https://www.legislation.govt.nz/secondary-legislation/pco-drafted/2026/286/en/latest/
- https://www.nelson.govt.nz/6environment/harbour/harbourmaster-directions
- https://www.coastguard.nz/lifejacket-changes
- https://www.boprc.govt.nz/living-in-the-bay/boating-in-the-bay/recreational-boating/lifejackets/
- https://www.orc.govt.nz/environment/harbourmaster/recreational-water-use
Checked October 2026. Rules change — confirm with Tasman District Council before you go.
This page summarises the rules for planning; it isn’t legal advice. Where this page and the official text differ, the official text wins. Spotted an error? Email support@vesselsos.com.