A surging interest in recreational boating among Auckland’s Chinese community has seen Coastguard Boating Education (CBE) ramp up its popular Day Skipper course for Mandarin speakers.

Run over five consecutive weeknights, the 15-hour theory course is presented by Michael Wang at CBE’s Auckland offices in Westhaven. Though launched a few years ago, the course has only been delivered on a few occasions – largely, says Michael, because few people in the Chinese community knew about it.

This year – thanks to word of mouth and the power of Mandarin social media – the difference is startling. Previous courses attracted around 20 students per year – this year’s numbers are already over 80 and climbing. What’s driving the growth?

Typically, says Michael, the students just want to experience more of the Kiwi lifestyle. “That includes boating, but the vast majority have never been in a vessel, let alone operated one. Recreational boating isn’t easy in China. Boats themselves aren’t necessarily expensive, but boat ownership regulations stipulate that you have belong to a club before you can use one – and club membership is very expensive. It’s very different to the ways things work here.”

A qualified Second Officer with decades of international experience on large ships, Michael’s ocean-going career began with a degree from China’s renowned Dalian University of Maritime Technology. He’s lived in New Zealand for 20 years and owns a Rayglass 2500 powered by a 300hp Mercury inboard.

CBE is a licensed agent for training courses created by the UK’s Royal Yachting Association (RYA), and with his experience it was relatively straightforward to become an accredited RYA instructor. While the Day Skipper course is entirely theory-based, says Michael, several students have already signed up for the next level – CBE’s Practical Powerboat Handling course.

He also points out that while the course is presented in Mandarin, English features prominently in the material. “The students understand that they have to be able to explain themselves during a VHF conversation, for example, or work from an English chart, or use the phonetic alphabet.”

From CBE’s perspective, the increased frequency of Mandarin courses is a welcome development. “Anything that improves safety awareness around water is a step in the right direction,” says Marilyn Brady (CBE’s Head of Education & Community Engagement).

“Statistics collated by Maritime New Zealand and Water Safety New Zealand show that Māori, Pacific Islanders and Asians are over-represented in the water accident and drowning incidents. And our own research indicates that while a lot of new immigrants want to get into boating, many have never been exposed to it. For aspirant Chinese boaties, these courses are a huge help.”

Reaching the Chinese community, she adds, is a lot easier for CBE when it has an asset like Michael. “We plan to replicate the Mandarin courses in other centres, and we’re just as keen to reach out to other ethnic communities. We just need a few more Michaels!”

The Mandarin Day Skipper course (originally translated from English by Alan Lam) is now in its second, updated edition and Michael is now considering a new, additional project – translating CBE’s Boatmaster Course. “It’s a large body of work and translating it will be a formidable task – but I will make a start.”

Marine Industry Association research published late last year shows recreational boating remains a growing sector in New Zealand, with 40% of the population (1.9 million) boating annually, and our national fleet increasing by nearly 45,000 vessels a year.