Ferry operator says safety bylaw may boost ticket prices

Ferry operator Interislander says ticket prices could rise if the Marlborough District Council passes a controversial navigational bylaw.

The company faces an additional levy of about $600,000 a year under the proposed council scheme to improve safety in the Marlborough Sounds.

Spokesman Nigel Parry said the plan was ill-conceived and would not boost safety, mainly because it failed to address the dangers caused by recreational users.

He said the price of a Cook Strait ferry ticket could rise.

"It certainly would increase our costs, which would obviously have some bearing on what we are able to charge," Parry said.

Council-appointed commissioners have heard four days of submissions on the proposed bylaw.

Some small commercial operators also believe they are being targeted.

Under the proposal, they will be forced to install an automatic identity system.

Picton-based Cougar Lines co-director Jill Evans said the company would have to spend about $3000 on each of its four boats, in addition to the new levy. "This is a major issue and it's very stressful. It would place a heavy burden on our financial position. If we were going to spend around $12,000 on improving safety, this is not what we'd spend it on."

The commercial operators say the equipment will allow the harbourmaster to monitor their speeds and positions 24 hours a day, but not that of leisure boats, giving an incomplete picture of movements on the water.

They say the proposed bylaw is a revenue-gathering exercise.

Council regulatory manager Hans Versteegh said: "The issue with commercial craft is that they are carrying passengers. If you are going to have a risk-management system, your concern is about the safety of those people.

"The argument in favour of recreational boaties is that they are responsible for their own actions out there."

Versteegh said the regulations governing leisure craft were probably inadequate.

"Council would support national licensing of boats," he said.

"You need a driver's licence to drive a car on the road; I think you should need some sort of licence to pilot a craft."

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