Visiting commercial fishers chasing the albacore tuna off the West Coast of the South Island are being offered free life jackets to raise awareness of the treacherous Grey River bar crossing.
The joint initiative involves Maritime New Zealand, the Shipwreck Welfare Trust and lifejacket manufacturer Survitec Group.
In April this year, the vessel Lady Anna sank while attempting to cross the bar. Skipper Nicholas Eklund was not wearing a lifejacket and drowned.
Maritime New Zealand officer Dominic Venz said a life jacket would have saved his life. With up to 60 visiting fishers chasing the tuna from December until April, the authority does not want any more deaths.
Mr Venz said many of the visiting fishers have little experience in crossing river bars and should take up the offer of a free, non-bulky inflatable life jacket.
Mr Eklund's partner of 13 years, Melissa Clark, saw him helplessly clinging to the hull of the overturned boat. She said he was not a strong swimmer but could have made it to safety with a lifejacket and is endorsing the initiative.