Commercial personal watercraft areas, Sunshine Coast
Maritime Safety Queensland has recently reviewed two areas for use by hire and drive personal watercraft (PWC) on the Maroochy and Noosa Rivers.
Maroochy River commercial PWC area
The only ships that may operate within the Maroochy River commercial PWC area from sunrise to sunset are:
- nominated hire and drive PWC (those that are registered as commercial ships and have the Maroochy River commercial PWC area as a stated condition of their registration)
- rescue ships operated by the hire and drive providers
- commercial ships operated by volunteer marine rescue organisations, surf life saving associations and the emergency services department.
A speed limit of 30 knots applies only to nominated hire and drive PWC; a speed limit of 40 knots applies to all other ships.
Noosa River commercial PWC area
The only ships that may operate within the Noosa River commercial PWC area from sunrise to sunset are:
- nominated hire and drive PWC (those that are registered as commercial ships and have the Noosa River commercial PWC area as a stated condition of their registration)
- rescue ships operated by the hire and drive providers
- commercial ships operated by volunteer marine rescue organisations, surf life saving associations and the emergency services department.
A speed limit of 30 knots applies only to nominated hire and drive PWC; a speed limit of 20 knots applies to all other ships.
Maps of the commercial PWC areas
Both commercial PWC areas are marked with a series of yellow special mark buoys.
In establishing these areas, Maritime Safety Queensland has considered the long history of commercial hire and drive operations on the Sunshine Coast and the significant contribution to tourism they have made.
For further information, contact the Sunshine Coast regional office.