Take note of these rules before boating on Keurbooms and Bitou rivers
We welcome all visitors and locals to the waterways of Plett, which beckons with the prospect of glorious days and timeout on our beaches after a really tough year. But what to expect on our rivers? Gerry Schulz and Errol Finkelstein
Sandbanks have again grown and shifted, while the river mouth area is even shallower than before. The grasses that cover and bind sand – creating shallows off The Tides, Goose Valley, and at the confluence of the two rivers – have grown taller and thicker. There have been no scouring floods for several years to reduce the build-up.
Take note that severe speed limits apply, other than in the “ski-zone* immediately north of the N2 up to the first braai ‘beaches’ on Keurbooms River. North of the ski-zone. CapeNalure enforces a 10kph speed limit.
Below the N2, which is under Bitou Municipal Law Enfoivcmcnl jurisdiction. the same top speed applies but. in addition, it is a no wake zone. It has been this way since time immemorial, and definitely since Keurbooms Nature Reserve was established • although enforcement was patchy until the Bitou Municipal Riser Bylaw’s passing on December 7, 2015.
Three Decembers of education regarding the River Bylaw later, it is now time to remind all users of the following:
• Below the N2 to the river and mouth and to Portjies is a no wake zone. There is uniform maximum speed limit of 5.5 knots/l0kph, subject to not creating a wake.
Licensed skippers will know that “no wake zone’ means dead slow ahead, winch, in turn, is the minimum speed for your vessel without stalling the motor. In practice, few if any can get anywhere near 10kph without creating a wake.
• The old CapeNature boat permit continues to be mandatory anywhere on the Keurbooms or Bitou rivers (legally), and now includes conformity to the new Bitou municipal permit requirement.
• The permit is required on the water from Portjiess and the mouth area to the N2 bridge and up to the navigable north point at Whisky Creek – in short, all navigable areas of the Bitou and Keurbooms rivers.
• No skiing or aqua-plaining. or towing of people in any manner is permitted south of the N2 at all in the Bitou or Keurbooms under any circumstances.
• Anyone aged 12 years old or younger on a motorised vessel must wear an approved safety jacket at all times as dictated by SAMSA regulations
• Jet-skis arc totally banned from all Bitou and Western Cape Province rivers. They may bunch with municipal approval from Central Beach only.
• Planes may not fly below the 1.000-foot general limit over the rivers, nor may dual boat/planes proceed, take-off, or land in or on the river.
• Municipal Law Enforcement officers and their fully-authorised municipal River Warden colleagues will be active on the rivers and river banks Their commands must be obeyed at all times River Bylaw section 15 (3) – No person may operate a vessel on the river:
(a) In a manner that a River Warden regards as reckless or negligent:
(b) While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a narcotic drug or for any physical or mental reason that renders such person, in the opinion of the River Warden, unfit to do so:
(c) In a place or area or in a manner that a River Warden regards as dangerous to the safety of any person or to any vessel whether on its way, at anchor or moored, or any structure, infrastructure, facilities or amenities in or on a river.
(d) In a manner that in the opinion of the River Warden constitutes a nuisance or disregard for the use of the river by other river uses:
(e) That is the opinion of the River Warden is not fit and proper for safe use on the river, properly maintained, or fit taking into account the safety of the users.
CapeNature and Bitou Law Enforcement Officers and River Wardens will be on the river to ensure a safe, peaceful season for all. and to assist the public wherever possible.
Useful contact details include the River Wardens number (WhatsApp or SMS only ) 06614949 96 or email rivers@parsun.co.za and the NSRI Plett emergency number 082 990 5975. Enjoy your holiday and stay alert, aware of, and considerate towards other motorised watercraft, canoeists, swimmers, paddlers, anglers, wildlife and the environment.
• Both Gerry Schulz and Errol Finkdstcm are Bitou municipal River Wardens, and current and former chairs of the Keurbooms River Estuary Forum respectively.