Personal watercraft
A personal watercraft is a craft propelled by an inboard motor powering a water jet pump. The operator sits, stands or kneels on the vessel and uses handle bars to steer the craft.
Personal watercraft (PWC), power boards and similar craft are power boats as far as the rules are concerned. This means rules on the age of drivers, distance offshore they can operate, equipment to be carried, speed limits and so on all apply.
Safety equipment
PWC's get some concessions on safety equipment. They do not have to carry a fire extinguisher or anchor and line. Within 400 metres offshore, they do not have to carry distress flares. However people onboard a PWC are required to wear a personal floatation device whilst they are operating the craft. Every person on board a PWC must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times:
- within protected waters or 400 metres of the shore in unprotected waters it can be a PFD Type 1, 2, or 3;
- between 400 metres and two nautical miles from shore in unprotected waters a PFD Type 1 must be worn. You must also carry an inshore distress flare kit, in serviceable condition;
- between two and five nautical miles, a PFD Type 1 must be worn. You must also carry an inshore distress flare kit and an EPIRB; and
- vessels under 3.75 metres are not permitted more than five nautical miles off shore.
Distance offshore
All boats under 3.75 metres (12 feet) in length (including personal watercraft), must stay within five nautical miles from the mainland, unless they are within the limits of a port or within one mile of any island.
Age limits
Every skipper of a registrable recreational vessel powered by a motor greater than 4.5kwp (6 hp) (this includes PWCs) is required to hold a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket (RST).
- A person aged between 14 and 16 cannot be in charge of an RST vessel unless they hold an RST.
- A person aged between 14 and 16 may only operate a vessel during daylight hours and at a maximum speed of 8 knots.
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Freestyle driving
PWC freestyle driving is driving a PWC in such a manner that the driver of another vessel would be unable to predict your course and speed in order to avoid a collision with you.
Freestyling is prohibited:
- within 30 metres of another PWC;
- within 50 metres of another vessel or person in the water; and
- in the Swan and Canning Rivers except in the gazetted freestyle areas.
Wave and wake jumping
Wave and wake jumping is defined as driving your PWC over a wave or swell with the aim of becoming airborne. The wave or the swell may be formed naturally or by the passage of a vessel.
Wave and Wake jumping is prohibited:
- within 30 metres of another PWC; and
- within 50 metres of another vessel or person in the water.
Prohibited areas
PWC are prohibited in the Swan River Marine Parks which are administered by Conservation and Land Management. Please check the signs at the launching ramps before using your PWC.
Personal water craft (PWC) in ski areas
- PWCs are prohibited in most water ski areas unless they are being used to tow water skiers.
- PWC drivers may use the launching facilities of the Canning River and the Belmont waterski areas provided that once launched the PWC proceed directly out of the ski area into unrestricted waters.
- PWCs are permitted to operate in most of the large offshore water ski areas such as Warnbro, Cockburn Sound and Geographe Bay.
- Check the signs at the launching ramps before using your PWC.
Tow in surfing
New tow in surfing safety requirements are currently being trialled under the Western Australian Marine Act 1982. The trial will run until 6 April 2010.
Those engaged in this activity using Personal Watercraft will be required to comply with the following safety requirements:
For more information, contact the Marine Operations Centre on 9431 1000.
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