N.Z. Authority moved by the death of two children

Maritime New Zealand is considering making it compulsory to wear life jackets on small vessels unless the skipper determines otherwise.

The issue has been raised after two children drowned when the boat they were sleeping in below deck sank in the Hauraki Gulf in the early hours of April 22.

Maritime New Zealand spokesperson Jim Lott says it is not known if life jackets were on board the 8m craft, but said it was not normal to wear them while sleeping on a calm night.

However, he said the organization is always looking at ways to make boating safer such as making the wearing of life jackets compulsory.

A police dive squad is today surveying the wreckage of the boat.