Lake Taupo Volunteer Coastguard
Lake Taupo Volunteer Coastguard operates four divisions.
- Radio Service - which monitors Channel 61, and is able to respond to emergency calls, maintain trip reports and broadcast scheduled weather reports.
- Dedicated Rescue Vessel (DRV) - a crew is on call 24 hours a day to attend emergency situations or provide assistance as directed by Police or our own Marine Advisors.
- Education - Coastguard boating Education provides a range of courses suitable for the first time boatie to the experienced skipper.
- Lake Watchers - a group of volunteers who live around the edge of Lake Taupo and maintain a constant monitoring watch who are able to call assistance to specific regions of the lake as required.
News
VHF Radio Coverage on Lake Taupo
31 March 2009
The following applies until further notice.
Boat users who require assistance on Lake Taupo at any time should call "Coastguard Radio" on channel 61. If you have an emergency and get no response to your call on VHF then you should use your second means of communication such as a cell phone to call 111 and ask for the Police. They are the ones who control all life threatening rescues on Lake Taupo.
During the period Monday to Friday from 0900hrs to 1630hrs, the Harbour Master and his staff will provide the listening watch and broadcast the current weather forecast at 0915hrs, 1215hrs and 1615hrs. They will also broadcast any navigation warnings at 1215hrs. After 1630hrs the radio will revert to a listening watch. NB Address all calls to "Coastguard Radio".
VHF Radio
Coastguard's Summer Safety Campaign. Get a VHF Radio. Use it.
Next Marine VHF Radio Course. Check with Clive.
Switch ON VHF this Year
Royal New Zealand Coastguard (INC) Summer Lottery
Tickets on sale from 1 December 2009 to 22 February 2010. Lottery drawn 26 February 2010. Alternatively print this order form and post it with your payment.
Current Level of lake Taupo
View the current lake level on the Mighty River Power website.
Alternatively, phone 0800 820 082. Press 2, then1. Chart datum is 355.850metres ASL.
Map of Lake Taupo
Download map of Lake Taupo: taupo_map.gif (200 KB)
Map courtesy of the Taupo Harbourmaster.
Boat Ramps
Boat ramps are located at:
- Taupo, Harbour
- 2 Mile Bay
- 3 Mile Bay
- Kinloch (private)
- Acacia Bay
- Te Moenga Bay
- Motutere
- Oruatua
- Motuoapa
- Tokaanu
- Braxmere
- Omori
- Pukawa
- Kuratau
- Whareroa
- Nukuhau
- Taupo Motor Camp
- Mission Point
Note: Use of Ramps
A ramp permit is required when using Dept of Internal Affairs ramp
facilities. These are available from most local dairies, service
stations and sports shops.
Ramp Use Etiquette
Commonsense preparation procedures prevent unnecessary congestion and personal stress at ramps.
Ensure you:
- Have your boat prepared prior to joining the queue. eg: bung in place; tie-downs removed; all personal gear (including lunch and warm clothing) on board; outboard support bracket and tow flag removed, etc.
- While reversing down the ramp, have a person walking beside the vehicle holding the painter (bow line) prepared to push-off the boat from the trailer. Then, move the boat to the jetty. If necessary, this person will walk the boat around the offside of the jetty thereby clearing the ramp area.
- The driver then parks the vehicle and trailer and returns to the boat, now ready to go.
- On return to the ramp from they day's outing on the lake, approach the jetty or beach. If possible drop-off a person to retrieve the vehicle and trailer. Back the boat away into the lake. Wait for your trailer to be positioned on the ramp.
- After loading on the trailer, drive away from the ramp to prepare for departure.
Following these procedures will speed up launching and retrieving thereby ensuring a smooth traffic flow.
Finally, (to avoid delays) display your ramp permit on your boat.
Fishing
Anglers must have a current licence. Licences issued for other districts (eg Rotorua) are not valid at Taupo.
Boat Speeds
The speed limit is 5 knots within 200 metres of the shore or structures & 5 knots within 50 metres of another vessel.
Signage
There are signs located at each boat ramp, boaties are advised to take note of the important informated detailed thereon.
