Coastguard callouts this summer are hitting their highest levels in years.
Today there were more than 30 callouts in the northern region alone, and boaties are being reminded of their safety obligations with the fine weather New Zealand is currently experiencing.
Senior Coastguard volunteer Justin Robertson told 1 NEWS this has been one of the service's busiest summers.
"We've had a lot of calls," he said.
One day in December was the busiest the Coastguard has had in seven years, with 39 incidents in the northern region alone.
Last month, there were almost 300 callouts, and there have already been more this month.
Operations centre duty officer Carolyn Caukwell said, "We get calls from around the country. For instance, on Tuesday was a call from somebody around the Clyde area about a kite surfer in difficulty on the Clutha River."
Most incidents are routine problems, such as "people with mechanical difficulties, running out of fuel," Ms Caukwell said.
Mr Robertson added there are also urgent calls to boats taking on water, and, "we've had a few fires this year".
However, it isn't just boaties getting into a spot of trouble this summer.
"People in little inflatable toys get blown off the beach. That actually happens all too often, to be honest. You won't swim as fast as they're going, so make the call and make it quickly," Mr Robertson said.
A fine forecast for Auckland's long weekend is expected to keep volunteers on their toes.
"We start at 6 o'clock Friday night and will be finished 9 o'clock Monday night. Normally, it starts the minute we get on shift, and if you're lucky, you get some sleep during the first night.
"I'd imagine we're in for probably our busiest weekend of the year," he said.
The Coastguard has urged people to wear lifejackets, have two forms of communication - a cellphone and a radio - and to tell Coastguard their plans in case something goes wrong.
SHARE ME