Get on board with life jackets
Trip preparation
Safe Operation
Emergency Procedures
Courtesy Rider Program

Get on board with life jackets

• Wearing a PFD is now compulsory for all occupants when in an open area of the following vessels, while underway:
  
  • Power driven vessels up to and including 4.8 metres (m) in length and Personal Watercraft (PWC)
    
  • Canoes, kayaks, rowing boats
    
  • Off-the-beach sailing yachts, pedal boats and fun boats
    
  • Recreational tenders
    

• A PFD must also be worn by all occupants of the following vessels at times of “heightened risk” when occupants are in an open area of a vessel which is under way:
  
  • Yachts (including monohull, trailerable and multihull yachts. Excludes off-the-beach yachts)
    
  • Power driven vessels greater than 4.8m but less than 12m
    

• "Heightened risk" means:
  
  • When crossing an ocean bar
    
  • When boating alone
    
  • When operating at night or in restricted visibility
    
  • When the vessel is a yacht without safety barriers or safety harnesses in use
    
  • When the vessel may capsize or be swamped or when occupants are at risk of falling overboard
    
  • When operating in an area where a gale, storm or severe thunderstorm warning or severe weather warning issued by the Bureau of Meteorology is current
    

Trip preparation

• Properly maintain your vessel, engine and safety equipment
  
  • Check the marine weather report
    
  • Ensure you have sufficient fuel and reserve fuel
    
  • Inform a person of your trip intentions
    
  • A boat licence is required to operate a recreational boat in Victoria
    

Safe Operation

• Vessels are required to maintain a maximum speed of 5 knots when:
  
  • Within 50m of swimmers, other vessels and fixed or floating structures
    
  • Within 100m of Divers/Divers’ flag
    
  • Within 50m of water’s edge (inland)
    
  • Within 200m of water’s edge (Coastal and Enclosed)
    

• Don't Drink and Boat
  
  • .00 Blood Alcohol Limit applies for under 21 and supervisor
    
  • .05 Blood Alcohol Limit applies for over 21
    

• Maintain a good lookout and operate at a safe speed
  

Emergency Procedures

• All occupants to put on PFDs
  

• Raise the alarm using:
  
  • Marine Radio - 27MHz - Ch 88, VHF - Ch 16
    
  • Phone - 000
    
  • Flares
    
  • EPIRB
    

• Stay with your boat
  
  • a vessel is a lot easier to spot than a swimmer
    
  • anchor your boat to maintain position if safe to do so
    

Courtesy Rider Program

Marine Safety Victoria (MSV) conducts the Personal Water Craft (PWC) Courtesy Rider Program throughout the summer boating season. The program is designed to educate PWC riders about their operational and behavioural responsibilities when on the water.

The PWC Courtesy Rider Team visits metropolitan and regional waterways across Victoria over summer, with a particular focus on areas where PWC riding is popular.

The program promotes safe and courteous operation and aims to reduce the number of incidents and complaints related to the use of PWCs in Victoria by encouraging safe and courteous behaviour on the water.

For further information contact Marine Safety Victoria on 1800 223 022