Waikato Regional Council maritime services team leader Richard Barnett says boaties should be required to hold licences for recreational use.

A senior Waikato harbourmaster believes requiring recreational skippers to hold a licence would make a difference to boating safety in New Zealand.

The change would need to come from central government, Waikato Regional Council maritime services team leader Richard Barnett said.

"We know that a lot of people go boating and they don't know the rules because they don't have to sit a licence."

MARK TAYLOR / STUFF Waikato North Harbourmaster Toby Kemp at the Pukete boat ramp. Kemp says it's vital to keep reminding the public about water rules.

He said such licensing would not teach people how to drive a boat, but users might have to sit a theory test involving knowledge of water rules including speed limits, towing rules, and life jackets.

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Most states in Australia require recreational licensing, but in New Zealand, a boating licence is only required for commercial use, Barnett said.

Although safety information was readily available, including signs at every boat ramp in the Waikato, they still found people breaking the rules, he said.

The council has recently received a number of complaints about speeding power boats and jet skis, vessels failing to keep to the right in the water, and boats towing without an observer on board.

Barnett said compliance of water rules was generally good when the harbourmasters were on the water, but reports from the public suggested some people reverted to speeding when they were not visible.

Harbourmaster for Waikato North, Toby Kemp, agreed.

Reminding the public of water rules was vital "to prevent people from injuring themselves", he said.

"Wearing a life jacket for example - you might not need it for 30 years, but the one time you do need it, it saves your life."

Kemp said people often believed they were safer on inland waters than on the ocean because they could see land nearby.

But there were lots of difficult corners and blind spots to be conscious of, he said.

Those who are caught breaking water rules may be subject to a verbal or written warning, or an infringement fee of $200.

Barnett said while this summer on the water had been busy, there had been fewer serious injuries than last year.

What are the rules in the Waikato?

- All jet skis must be registered.

- On inland waters, you cannot exceed 5 knots within 30 metres of the shore, or within 50 metres of swimmers, other boats, and structures such as bridges.

-On coastal waters, you cannot exceed 5 knots within 200 metres of structures and the shoreline, and within 50 metres of swimmers and other boats.

-An app, Marine Mate, details risks and local safety rules in different water spots around the region.