Navigation Bylaw 2009 and Navigation (Vessel Speed) Bylaw 2009

Proposed Marlborough District Council Navigation Bylaw 2017

The 2009 Navigation Safety Bylaws were reviewed in 2017 and found to be fit for purpose. However, it was proposed that the bylaws could be simplified in two main ways;

The bylaws could be written in plain English;
The bylaws could be reduced in size and simplified by removing all measures pertaining to ships and addressing these in Harbourmaster Directions;
A draft bylaw was circulated for consultation however at a late stage a robust legal opinion suggested that the bylaws were the best mechanism for regulating ships.

Accordingly the revised bylaw was revoked. A new draft bylaw is expected to be put forward for consultation in 2021.

This is timely as the new bylaw will be able to take account of the new Marlborough Environment Plan and the proposed changes to ferries using Tory Channel and developments in Port Marlborough

Read the Draft Bylaws and Submissions received

Navigation Bylaws

The Marlborough District Council exercises authority over harbour waters through powers vested in it by the Local Government Act and Maritime Transport Act. This includes the powers to make bylaws relevant to safety and navigation.

Marlborough Sounds Harbour Navigational Risk Assessment Review

Navigation Risk Assessment Review PDF (1.3 Mb)