A disappointing local disregard for water safety was liable to end in injury or worse, Queenstown Lakes District harbourmaster Marty Black said.

An evening patrol last week had left him frustrated and dismayed at the ignorance of resident Queenstowners.

"I was gob smacked by the level of stupidity being displayed by local boat users," Mr Black said.

Water skiing in the dark with no lights and no-one spotting was an accident waiting to happen.

"You lose the skier and that person is instantly at risk of either being hit by a boat or spending too much time in the water," Mr Black said.

On Thursday evening Mr Black and his team discovered no less that six different operators all variously contravening the law and toying either with their own or others safety.

As the result of one night's work, six notices have been sent out, undoubtedly some will end in prosecution, Mr Black said.

"Obviously our preference is to lean towards education but at the end of the day when you put yourself or others at risk, you also risk a conviction," Mr Black said.

The disappointing result would see night patrols increased for the remainder of the summer.

ENDS

For further information please contact Marty Black 0274 34 52 89.

By: Tamah