Keep your distance
The main complaint received by marine authorities relates to the operation of PWCs close to other water users and/or the water’s edge.
These are minimum safety distances that must be applied on all waterways unless a specific local rule provides otherwise.
In Port Phillip Bay the 5 knot zone extends to 500 m of the waters edge from Martha Point to Point Nepean National Park.
Like any other boaters, PWC operators should make sure that they know the rules applicable to any waterway they intend to use. See the Vessel Operating and Zoning Rules (VOZR) for particulars and the general rules as outlined in this Safety Handbook.
When operating near beaches and swimmers, care must be taken to adhere to the speed and distance rules and be aware of people in the water.
On ALL Victorian waters a 5 knot speed limit applies to boat operators and PWC operators within a distance of:
- 50 m of a person, vessel, fixed or floating structure and the shore on inland waters
- 50 m of a person, vessel, wharf, jetty, slipway, diving platform or boat ramp on coastal and enclosed waters
- 100 m of a dive flag
- 200 m of the shore on enclosed and coastal waters
- or as per the scheduled waterway rules