Boating safety's in the spotlight in the Waikato.

The regional council's Operation Neptune programme restarts today, to ensure those on the water are following safety regulations.

Last year 131 infringement notices were issued, as well as 27 formal warnings and 24 verbal warnings.

Waikato Deputy Regional Harbourmaster, Lee Samphier told Tim Dower the influx of new boaties without a lot of base knowledge, has the potential to cause problems.

He says they want to make sure people have an understanding of what the rules are -- and comply with those on the water.

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