Safety regulations are in your and your crew's best interests while you are in a boat at sea. Remember that not all craft are suitable for use on the sea, so please verify whether your boat is suitable for this use with the local authority controlling the launch site or your ski-boat club.

Ski-boats may only launch at approved launching sites. Minors (under 16 year of age) are not allowed to pilot boats in congested waterways. Experience has shown that most boating accidents are as a result of ignorance and only through correct training and subsequent experience can accidents be countered.

REGISTRATION

All craft returning to sea must be registered and may at any time be inspected by authorised persons to ensure that they are seaworthy. Certificates of Registration and Seaworthiness are obtainable through the local authority (e.g. KZN Wildlife), ski-boat clubs and the Department of Transport.

SOME GENERAL TIPS TO REMEMBER

1. Only skippers with a certificate of competence may launch boats.
2. Department of Transport approved life jackets are to be worn in the surf zone and during times of  emergency.
3. The skipper of your boat must comply with the alcohol standard as laid down for driving on a road.
4. If you qualify to go to sea, please ensure that your name and address etc. appear on your trailer (this is    required by law).
5. Check weather and local conditions daily with the weather office and local people who know the area.
6. Ensure that your boat is properly equipped before launching.
7. Consult the full regulations.
8. Be considerate to other ski-boats.
9. Do not exceed either your or your boat's limitations.
10. Where offshore zone identity networks exist (harbour control etc.), take the trouble to update your  position by radio when moving from one zone to another.

BOAT SAFETY REGULATIONS ON LAKE ST LUCIA

• Lake St Lucia is part of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, which has enormous nature conservation value.
• The following regulations have been designed to allow visitors to use the lake in harmony with the multitude of wildlife species which also use the lake.
• When boating on the lake please keep an eye out for crocodiles and hippopotami.
• All boats must be registered with KZN Wildlife.
• Contact your local KZN Wildlife Office for information regarding all regulations.
• No boat is allowed within 100 m of any shoreline or island in the lake except at the launch sites of Charters Creek, Fani's Island and False Bay Park, or up any of the rivers.
• Canoeing is allowed under the supervision of the Wilderness Leadership School and on KZN Wildlife Wilderness Trails on the eastern shores of the lake.
• It is also allowed in False Bay with the authority of the officer-in-charge of False Bay Park.
• No sailing, waterskiing, jetskis, rowing boats or sailboards are allowed on the lake or estuary.
• No boats are allowed beyond a point demarcated by a 'No Entry' sign in the estuary narrows, nor east of the poles between Fani's Island and Nibela Peninsula. These signs indicate the beginning of the wilderness area.
• No boats are allowed between the St Lucia Estuary road bridge and Brodies from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise.
• All boats used on the lake and estuary must be motor-driven and have minimum size requirements which are a length of 3,6 m, a beam of 1,2 m and freeboard of 45 cm.
• Due to the shallowness of the river, boats at Maphelana may not go up the Umfolozi River but they may go up the Msunduzi River as far as the 'No Entry' sign during the day, and only as far as the KZN Wildlife jetty at night.