Key information for recreational craft during the Tuia 250 flotilla visit

As part of the Tuia 250 comemmorations, a national flotilla consisting of three waka hourua (double hulled waka with sails) and two heritage tall ships will visit Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound between November 19 and November 26, 2019.

On November 22, 2019 the flotilla is expected to arrive at Allports Island (Motu Ngarara) around 10am, and then make its way to Waitohi/Picton Harbour.

Recreational craft are encouraged to join the flotilla through the Sounds, with specific instructions below.

Harbourmaster’s Direction

In the interest of navigation safety no vessel is permitted to navigate within the specified exclusion zones 100 meters of a flotilla vessel underway within the Marlborough Harbour or within 50 meters of any flotilla vessel navigating within Picton Harbour or at anchor.

This direction does not apply to;
• Police or rescue vessels
• Vessels as permitted by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage
• Vessels as permitted by the Harbourmaster
• Vessels as permitted by the Master, Skipper or Kaitiaki of a flotilla vessel.

​Meretoto/Ship Cove

On November 21, 2019 there will be an official Pōwhiri for the crews of the dual heritage Tuia 250 flotilla, led by tangata whenua. This is not a public event, and only invited persons and vessels may enter Ship Cove over this period. The Ministry of Culture and Heritage has reserved an area of water space within Meretoto/Ship Cove for this event from midnight November 20 to 5pm November 21. The reserved area is shown on the map and has been approved according to the Marlborough District Council Navigation Safety Bylaws 2009.

During this time only approved vessels will be permitted to;
• access the wharf at Meretoto/Ship Cove
• anchor or moor in Meretoto/Ship Cove

There will be opportunity for all vessels to enter Meretoto/Ship Cove between 11am and 2pm on November, 21 2019 to view the flotilla vessels at anchor in the bay. During this time all vessels navigating in the bay must remain at a distance of at least 50 meters from the flotilla vessels.

Spectator craft intending to visit Meretoto/Ship Cove during this event are encouraged to maintain a listening watch on VHF 66 for event information and safety messages from the Harbourmaster.

Waitohi/Picton

On November 22, 2019 the dual heritage Tuia 250 flotilla is expected to arrive at All Ports Island around 10am, and then make its way to Waitohi/Picton Harbour.

The flotilla will depart on November 26, 2019.

• Tangata whenua waka will approach the flotilla from Shelly Beach

• All spectator vessels must not navigate within the exclusion zones of the flotilla vessels as set by the Harbourmaster.

Please remain 100m away from any flotilla vessel underway or within 50m of any flotilla vessel navigating within the harbour or at anchor.

Find full details on information for boaties on the Totaranui 250 website