Make your arrival in a '6 or 1' marina as smooth as possible

Find out how you can maximise your chance of a smooth arrival into a marina that follows the '6 or 1' rule to protect itself, and the places around it, from invasive pests. 

Whitianga Marina is one of the marinas enforcing the 6 or 1 rule - requiring vessels coming from high risk locations to have been antifouled within six months or hauled out and cleaned within one month of arrival.

By protecting Whitianga Marina, this approach is also protecting the waters of special places on the coast. “I don’t want to see marine pests get into the Mercury Islands or the marine reserve. It’s my number one topic,” says the marina’s manager Dave Munday.

How can you prepare for arrival? The marina asks for boat owners to keep evidence of their maintenance on file and to provide it in advance: invoices and receipts, and date stamped photo of the boat’s hull after cleaning. Dave also telephones contractors and haulout operators as confirmation. 

And if a boat does arrive at the marina unexpectedly and there is any doubt - Whitianga Marina will often haul the boat out of the water to check for marine pests hitchhikers at no charge. What more could you ask for?