Personal watercraft

Cruising, wave jumping, surf-riding and skiing are just a few fun ways to enjoy your personal watercraft (PWC). Whatever activity you choose, the best way to enjoy your sport is safely. Whether you own or just borrow a personal watercraft, it is vital to understand the safety rules and regulations.

Before you head out

General safety obligation
Owners and operators have a general safety obligation to make sure their personal watercraft is in good condition, used safely and has the correct equipment. You have a safety responsibility towards those who use your personal watercraft.

Licences
To operate a personal watercraft you must hold a personal watercraft licence in addition to a recreational marine driver licence, or a commercial marine licence as master, or have a licensed person on board who is able to take immediate control in the case of any trouble. When towing a skier the operator must be licensed and have an observer on board.

Registration
All personal watercraft must be registered. Registration symbols must be:

displayed on both sides
at least 100 mm high
legible from a distance of 30 m
clearly visible in a contrasting colour to your craft
easily seen while your craft is underway.

The registration label must be displayed on the port (left) side of your craft, adjacent to the registration symbols.

Ride Smart sticker
A Ride Smart sticker must be affixed to the personal watercraft and visible to the operator at all times.

Ride Smart stickers are available from Queensland Transport customer service centres or send an email requesting a Ride Smart sticker to msqmail@msq.qld.gov.au with your name, address and contact telephone number.

Download the Ride Smart brochure (PDF**, 636KB) or Ride Smart brochure - text only version (PDF**, 285KB)

Safety equipment
Safety equipment is dependent on where you are travelling. All personal watercraft operators must wear the correct personal flotation device (PFD) at all times.

PFD type 2, 3 or a wetsuit with inbuilt flotation approved as PFD type 3 in smooth water limits.
PFD type 2 in partially smooth and offshore water limits.

If you travel more than two nautical miles offshore, when beyond smooth and partially smooth waters, you must carry an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). Personal watercraft travelling at night, or at times of reduced visibility, must show navigation lights - side lights and either an all-round white light or a stern light.

On the water

International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea*
Know and understand these regulations and always keep a proper lookout for other boats, hazards and other people involved in water activities.

image indicating how vessels approaching head on should give way

Approaching head on
Each boat alters course to starboard (right)
and passes port to port (left). This applies
to both narrow channels and open waters.

image indicating how vessels overtaking should pass

Overtaking
Keep out of the way of the boat being
overtaken and pass safely either side.

image indicating how powered boats should give way

Give way (powered boats)
Give way to boats approaching from
your starboard (right) side,
they have right of way.

image indicating how vessels should give way to non-powered boats

Give way (non-powered boats)
Give way to sailing boats canoes
and boardriders.

Distance and speed
It is important you do not exceed set speed limits for your safety, and that of everyone else using the water. Do not travel at speeds where your wash can cause damage to the shoreline, other boats or injury to others.

The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea* require that you consider the density of traffic in the area to determine a safe speed. The following distances must be adhered to, or reduce speed to six knots, within:

60 m of people in the water
60 m of anchored or moored boats, structures, boat ramps, jetties or pontoons
60 m of the shore
60 m of the boundary of a bathing reserve.

Exceptions apply to six knots within 60 m of the shore under the following conditions:

The waterway is less than 120 m wide, and
- The personal watercraft operator is operating the personal watercraft in as close as practicable to a straight line to transit the area.
- The personal watercraft operator stays as close as is practicable to the centre of the waterway or a marked channel.
The personal watercraft is being used in waterskiing/towing.

In coastal waters, freestyling or wave jumping is restricted to:

Outside 200 m of the shore if dwellings are within 100 m of the shoreline, and are in the vicinity of the waters where the personal watercraft is operating. Coastal waters do not include dams and inland waters.

Skiing or towing
Waterskiing involves the towing of a person or persons behind the personal watercraft. The person being towed can be on skis, bare feet, inflatable devices or boards. The operator of the personal watercraft is responsible for ensuring the waterway is safe for skiing. Check for hazards, sufficient depth of water and widths to make turns safely. Do not ski in prohibited areas. In some locations, signs may be posted dictating the direction of travel. Always check before skiing.

If another skier is on the water before you, follow their direction ensuring there is a safe distance between your personal watercraft and the skier in front.

When towing, the operator of the personal watercraft must ensure there is sufficient seating capacity for the operator and an observer. When skiing in narrow rivers and creeks it is common practice to travel in an anticlockwise pattern.

An operator must not operate a personal watercraft towing a skier unless:

the operator is licensed
the skier, operator and observer are wearing a PFD type 2 or 3
there is another person (the observer) on the personal watercraft who is more than 12 years and is competent to watch the skier at all times.

The observer must immediately tell the operator if:

there is a danger, or potential danger, to the skier
the skier signals the observer
the skier has a mishap.

On the spot fine - Skiing without an observer - A$225.

Courtesy and general safety

Riding a personal watercraft takes skill and a responsible attitude. Unfortunately, some riders believe a personal watercraft can be ridden anywhere and in any fashion without considering the consequences. As a rider, you must be aware of the hazards and know how your actions can affect other waterway users. Remember at 60 km/h your personal watercraft will travel 100 m in six seconds.

The fun side of riding a personal watercraft is to ride fast, turn quickly and jump waves and wash. It is easy to lose track of how close you are travelling to the shore, fixed objects and other boats while having fun. Serious accidents have occurred from collisions because the rider has misjudged distance, misread other riders' intentions or did not realise how close they were to hazardous objects.

Not everyone wants to share your experience in riding a personal watercraft. To gain the most enjoyment from your personal watercraft, ride where you can have fun but remain mindful of others.

Steerage
personal watercraft are jet driven and do not normally have a conventional rudder. Throttle needs to be applied to steer (turn and manoeuvre) the craft. Collisions have often occurred when the rider reduces power, not realising the craft does not turn away from the object/vessel without throttle. To avoid a collision apply power to make your craft turn, then reduce power when you can. All personal watercraft have a safety ignition cut off key (lanyard) which is designed to stop the engine if you fall off your personal watercraft. The lanyard is an important safety device designed to be attached to the operator's wrist. It is a good idea to wear your lanyard on the opposite hand to the ignition switch, as it will prevent it from slipping off your wrist. Some lanyards can be attached to your PFD.

Courtesy and the environment
Consider the environment and the peace of others who use or live by the water. Try to travel in areas where noise will not disturb other people or wild life. In particular try not to operate near houses, parks populated beaches or boat ramps. Avoid shallow areas where wading birds congregate and roost. Remember your behaviour will reflect on all other personal watercraft riders.

Wave jumping and surf riding
Wave jumping and surf riding can be dangerous if you are inexperienced and do not think before you act. Before you attempt wave jumping and surf riding make sure you know who else is out there and where they are. Remember swimmers, board riders and other personal watercraft also use the surf. You must operate your personal watercraft at least 60 metres away from people in the water. While wave jumping you have little control over where your craft lands, it is important you avoid collisions and injury to yourself and others.

Be aware of sandbars in shallow waters and underneath waves. Make sure you will have sufficient water to manoeuvre after the wave has subsided. As soon as you slow down remember your personal watercraft falls off the plane and digs its stem into the water deeper than on the plane. Sucking up sand may cause serious damage to your impellor or pump/jet. Always go with your instincts and know your own ability. It is important you do not try to jump a wave beyond your capabilities - don't try to jump a wave too high or approach it too fast.

Don't go out alone
Always go in pairs, particularly when wave jumping. It is best to wave jump with another personal watercraft in case you get into trouble. A simple twisted wrist can reduce your ability to get yourself back to shore safely. In cases of real emergencies the second personal watercraft can act as a rescue craft or at least go to get help. Always tell someone who is staying on land where you are going and when you expect to return.

Freestyling
Freestyling is where your driving is erratic and non-directional, making it difficult for others to predict your course to avoid a collision. High speed manoeuvres such as wake-jumping, donuts, figure 8s, 360s and so on are examples of freestyling.

This form of activity causes the most problems with other waterway users and nearby residents, for it is seen as unsafe, annoying and noisy. When you are freestyling be aware of other waterway users. Find a place away from populated areas (for example away from beaches and residential areas) to conduct these manoeuvres. Always check over your shoulders and then double check before you conduct a turn, especially at high speeds. Do not turn until you are sure it is safe to do so.

In coastal waters, freestyling or wave jumping is restricted to outside 200 m of the shore if dwellings are within 100 m of the shore line, and are in the vicinity of the waters where the personal watercraft is operating. Coastal waters do not include dams and inland waters. Information about prohibited freestyle areas on the Gold Coast (PDF**, 496KB) and Sunshine Coast (PDF**, 590KB).

Marine zones

Your safety and the safety of others is an important consideration when using your personal watercraft. But when it comes to complaints about personal watercraft activity the predominant issue is the noise and nuisance caused by these craft. In areas where there a large number of waterside residences, narrow stretches of navigable water and the waterway is used for other low impact activity (swimming, rowing and so on), excluding personal watercraft from these areas may be the only feasible way of effectively managing the noise, amenity, safety and environmental impacts created by their use.

Marine zones may be introduced in certain areas throughout the state, limiting a certain type of vessel, for example personal watercraft or hovercraft, or a certain type of activity, for example freestyling, from an area. Before going out to ride, check whether your intended destination is a marine zone. Check the Environmental Protection Agency's website at www.epa.qld.gov.au for information about marine park zones and any other restrictions that may apply in these areas.

Refuelling

It is important to fuel your personal watercraft on land because fuel is dangerous and fuel spills are a significant cause of water pollution. Be responsible by regularly maintaining your fuel system, not overfilling your fuel tank, watching the breathers and using absorbent material to collect fuel overflow.

Marine pollution

It is an offence to deliberately discharge garbage, oil and chemicals into the marine environment and severe penalties apply. Everyone can help protect the marine environment by reporting marine pollution to your local Maritime Safety Queensland regional office.

Education and enforcement

Since January 2005, a dedicated jet ski patrol team has been established within Maritime Safety Queensland. This team's role is to:

conduct on-water enforcement patrols targeting known jet ski hot spots
conduct education days with marine studies students, jet ski clubs and other boating associations
work with enforcement partners to ensure appropriate resource allocation to ensure good compliance outcomes
work with councils in applying zoning assessment criteria and establishing an appropriate education and enforcement plan to accompany zoning proposals.

*The content found by using this link is not created, controlled or approved by this department. No responsibility is taken for the consequences of viewing content on this site. This link will load into a new window.

**While this department has taken every possible precaution with the creation of these files, they are downloaded and used at your own risk. Adobe Reader is required to open and print Portable Document Format (PDF) files and is free to download from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. Various tools to enable access to these files for people using a screen reader can be found at http://access.adobe.com. Further information is available from our "Help with downloading, reading and printing PDF" web page.

Last updated 21 April 2008