We don’t foresee any risks associated with Hikoi. We will have wardens to assist with people crossing the road when they leave the Marae. Once on the opposite side of road they will be instructed to keep to the footpath which is continuous all the way to Waikawa Bay. Hikoi will end at Waikawa Foreshore where those that wish to join the protest flotilla can board launches at the Waikawa jetty or launching ramp in case of runabouts.
Please note the following regarding the Protest Flotilla:
- Whanau wishing to join the flotilla must ensure that they are suitably dressed with warm clothoes and rain coats if weather is inclement. It would also be a good idea to bring your own life jackets, especially childrens life jackets.
- The Protest will be weather permitting, rain we can handle ,but if there are storm conditions , we will postpone till following weekend. Postponement will be advertised over the local radio and CH 63. Protest will be held on next fine Saturday.
- All vessels should be seaworthy and reliable.
- Responsible skippers.
- Vessels need to have VHF and able to receive on CH 63 .
- Skippers need to ensure that their vessels are not overloaded and that everyone aboard is wearing a life jacket, especially children and they must have full safety equipment including a first aid kit.
- Skippers to ensure that vessels are securely secured to jetty with fore and aft springs to limit vessel movement when protesters are boarding , special care taken so hands and feet don’t get squashed between beltings and wharf.
- Protest vessels will meet up and protest will start at Ruakaka salmon farm.
- All vessels will be addressed by command vessel Tutanekai, as to the plan for protest and be informed that all vessels should stay 50 metres off farm structures, displaying placards and banners is ok, but on no account are any missiles to be thrown at the farms and to respect King Salmons private property.
- On no account is any one permitted to berth alongside farms , must respect and keep off King salmon property, and remember our beef is with Government and King Salmon management not farm staff.
- We will assemble at the Ruakaka Salmon farm displaying our placards, then head over to the proposed Kaitepeha and Rua O Moko salmon farm sites where the protest will disband.
- We will designate a couple of small fast vessels to be patrol craft they will carry identified by Red flags.
- The purpose of protest is not just to demonstrate at King Salmon the feelings of Sounds users and our objection to them applying to change our Sounds Plan and for exclusive occupation of our public water space but to also provide a photo opportunity for the media who will no doubt be overhead in helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.
- The speed of the vessels engaged shall not exceed the speed of the slowest vessel suggest around 8 knots , within 200 metres of the shore or salmon Farms this must be reduced to 5 knots.
- We respectfully suggest that yachties lower sails and use motors only when taking part in flotilla.
- Once protest is over vessels will disband , from this point on they are not under control of the patrol craft
We attach a legal disclaimer;
This group has been asked by the Guardians Of The Sounds to come together to share their collective knowledge and expertise,neither this group or the Guardians ,or its members as facilitators of this protest accept any legal or physical responsibility of the actions or consequences of those actions by any individual or groups who take part in this process .
Pete Beech
Chairman , Guardians Of The Sounds.