Notice of Intention to Declare a Major Maritime Event Pursuant to section 200a (3) (d) of the Maritime Transport Act 1994, I give notice that I have received from the Auckland Regional Council an application to declare the World Off-Shore Power Boat Championships to be an event to which section 200b of the Maritime Transport Act 1994 applies for the period 9 February 2000 to 14 February 2000 inclusive; and that I intend to make a declaration to that effect by notice in the Gazette. Areas Affected by the Application The areas in respect of which the application is made are defined as follows: Area A The area bound to the south by a line due east and due west from Rough Rock buoy, to the west by the coastline from Takapuna Head northwards and thence eastwards along the southern shore of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula to longitude 174 50E and thence southwards to intersect with a line drawn due eastwards from Rough Rock buoy. Area B The Inner Waitemata Harbour area defined by a line between the eastern end of the Chelsea Wharf and ``Pile Buoy'' and bounded to the south by a line drawn from the ``Pile Buoy'' to Point Erin and thence eastwards along the shoreline to the northern end of the eastern breakwater at the Marine Rescue Centre at Mechanics Bay. Bounded to the east by a line drawn between the northern end of the eastern breakwater at the Marine Rescue Centre at Mechanics Bay and the western end of Devonport Wharf and bounded to the north by a line drawn from the western end of Devonport Wharf to Stanley Point to Stokes Point to the southern end of Birkenhead Wharf and thence to the eastern end of Chelsea Wharf. Proposed Conditions and Requirements Area A 1. Only vessels accredited by the event organiser, the New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Association Inc, or authorised by the Auckland Regional Council may enter Area A. Area B 1. Only vessels accredited by the event organiser, the New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Association Inc, or authorised by the Auckland Regional Council may enter Area B; 2. All vessels other than competing power boats are restricted to a maximum speed of 5 knots when within Area B between 1145 and 1400 NZDT on 9 February 2000; and 3. All commercial vessels must obtain clearance on VHF Channel 9 from the Harbourmaster before leaving their berths. General conditions 1. Competing power boats must not exceed a maximum speed of 30 knots between their base at America's Cup Village and Areas A and B; and 2. All vessels must be navigated in accordance with Maritime Rules Part 22 - Collision Prevention. Suspension or abandonment of racing operations The Auckland Regional Council may order the suspension or abandonment of racing operations if, in the opinion of the Council's Harbourmaster, adequate levels of public safety afloat cannot be guaranteed. Such powers would be exercised in conjunction with the New Zealand Police and in consultation with the event organisers, the New Zealand Offshore Powerboat Association Inc and Ports of Auckland Limited. Alteration or variation of proposed conditions and requirements The Auckland Regional Council may vary conditions and requirements contained in the notice, and may specify conditions, to better safeguard the public within the areas defined in this notice. Means of enforcement Compliance with the above conditions and requirements will be enforced by appointed enforcement officers, as defined in section 200b (6) of the Maritime Transport Act 1994. Under section 200b (5) of the Maritime Transport Act 1994, any person in charge of a ship, craft or seaplane who contravenes this notice commits an infringement offence and is liable to the relevant penalty prescribed in the Maritime Transport (Infringement Fees for Offences Relating to Major Maritime Events) Regulations 1999. Proposed hours of operation Area A This area will be active between the hours of 1100 to 1600 NZDT from 10 February 2000 to 14 February 2000 inclusive. Area B This area will be active between the hours of 1000 and 1400 NZDT on 9 February 2000. These hours will be advertised to the public in advance but are subject to change. The specific hours of operation will be announced daily on public broadcasting and marine communication channels. Normal navigation will be permitted at times outside the hours of operation referred to above and on any days that are not race days or days of significant activity associated with the event. Management of commercial shipping On race days, the management of commercial shipping in Waitemata Harbour will be coordinated and conducted jointly between the Auckland Regional Council Harbourmaster and the Marine Services Manager, Ports of Auckland Limited, in order to minimise any potential conflict between commercial shipping operations and operations surrounding the World Off-Shore Power Boat Championships. Application to enforcement officers Enforcement officers may, in the course of their duties, be exempt from rules or conditions applying in respect of the areas to which the notice applies but must at all times navigate in accordance with Maritime Rule Part 22: Collision Prevention. Comments on this notice Any person or organisation may forward written comments on this proposal to Roger Brown Ministry of Transport P.O. Box 3175 WELLINGTON provided such comments are received at the above address no later than 5.00 p.m. on 17 December 1999. Comments are submitted on the basis that they may be made public. If submitters do not wish this to occur, a statement to that effect should be made. Dated this 19th day of November 1999. MAURICE WILLIAMSON, Minister of Transport.