Port Phillip Bay sets new personal watercraft rules

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Port Phillip Bay sets new personal watercraft rules

December 24, 2019

Recreation / Safety /

A new rule governing the operation of personal watercrafts (PWC) on Port Phillip has commenced.

PWC includes jet skis, wave runners and similar vessels that have an engine used for propulsion, fully enclosed hull, don’t retain water and are operated by standing, kneeling or sitting astride.

This new rule will require PWC operators to:

Navigate the PWC in the safest most direct course to and from the shore. The shore includes the beach, boat ramp or berthing facility including a jetty, pier or mooring
Avoid any irregular riding or freestyling within the five-knot speed restriction zones, for example, donuts, circles, weaving. Changes of direction to avoid other waterway users is permitted.

Irregular riding is defined as operating a PWC in an irregular or erratic manner, including:

Weaving or diverting course that another person would be unable to predict
Surfing down or jumping over or across any waves, wake or wash
Freestyling, which includes manoeuvres such as sharp turns, circular or semi-circular operation of the personal watercraft.

22nd May 2015 - Jet ski ‘hoon’ jailed over swimmer’s death at Port Melbourne

14th January 2019 - Cairns rescues highlight dangers of swimming in local waterways

24th December 2018 - Surf message aims to keep multicultural community safe on the beaches and waterways

23rd February 2017 - New Zealand Government announces plans to make 90% of waterways swimmable by 2040

24th January 2016 - 59 drown in waterways since start of December

20th January 2015 - Swimmers urged to wear life jackets in inland waterways

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