Amendment to Rule Part 91 for existing PFDs

2007-12-27T21:02:41+13:00

Recreational kayakers may continue to utilise fit-for-purpose PFDs until 1 October 2014 following ministerial approval of an amendment (PDF, 192kb) to the infamous Rule Part 91. For commercial operations, the date is 1 October 2011; clubs renting equipment are regarded as commercial operations by MNZ. Arising from strong representations from the kayaking community, the amendment comes into force on 10 January 2008. The amendment includes additional provisions clarifying the standard for PFDs used on paddle craft, acknowledging that the process for developing the existing standard appears in hindsight to have failed to fully represent the views of the kayaking sector. Unfortunately other problematic clauses regarding surfing on waves, requirement to stick to starboard and definitions of safe operation remain.

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