Harbourmaster Direction 24 July (649kb)
The links below download a copy of the Marlborough Sounds Safe Boating Brochure for Summer 08/09. The brochure provides helpful information you need to know for an enjoyable and safe time on the water this summer. Copies of the brochure are also available from the Marlborough District Council Offices in Blenheim or Picton, as well as from the Waikawa, Picton and Havelock marinas.
Safe Boating Brochure 2009-2010 (2Mb)
The Marlborough District Council is the Harbour Authority for Marlborough and employs a harbourmaster and deputy harbourmaster to exercise the functions, duties and powers required under the Local Government and Maritime Transport Acts. The harbourmaster's office is in the council's Picton Service Centre.
The area of waters administered by the Marlborough District Council extends from Cape Soucis in Tasman Bay through to Willawa Point, near Kekerengu in the south. This extensive area includes D'Urville Island, all the Marlborough Sounds, Port Underwood, Clifford and Cloudy Bays. A diagram showing harbour limits is included in the Navigation Bylaws 2002. Click the LINK to download these bylaws.
Marlborough Sounds Harbour Navigational Risk Assessment (pdf) (1,397kb)
Council is now wishing to further the recommendations made in the risk assessment in order to implement the risk control measures identified. However, before it can move forward, a sustainable source of funding must be identified which will address the continued operation of the Harbours Department into the future.
A consultation paper has been prepared which outlines a number of funding recovery options. The document has been released for comment and Council has set 7 September 2006 as the closing date for submissions.
An extensive network of navigation aids exists throughout the area to ensure that all vessels are able to navigate safely.
The district's main port of Picton is located at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, approximately 17 nautical miles from Cook Strait, and serves as the South Island terminus for a number of passenger, vehicle and freight ferries. The port also exports bulk timber from the newly developed deep-water berth in Shakespeare Bay, immediately west of Picton. Export volumes are expected to reach 700,000 tonnes per annum within the next five to seven years.
For many years the Sounds have been the centre of the New Zealand marine farming industry, particularly of greenshell mussels. Marine farms have been established throughout the district, most of them in Pelorus Sound. Harvested product is landed in several areas, with Havelock at the head of Pelorus Sound, the focal area for this industry.
The Marlborough Sounds are recognised worldwide as an area of immense natural beauty and unspoiled environment, and attract large numbers of pleasure boats. Marinas at Waikawa Bay, Picton and Havelock offer both permanent and casual berthage and other facilities. All marinas are operated by Port Marlborough New Zealand Limited who may be contacted on (03) 520 3399.
Picton Harbour Radio operates on a 24-hour basis for inquiries and information and can be contacted on channel 19 VHF.
