CHAPTER 5 PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC)

CHAPTER 5PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC)PERSONAL WATERCRAFT 135PWC OPERATOR CONDUCT 135SPEED AND DISTANCE RULES Safe speed Keep your distance 136136137KNOW THE COLLISION REGULATIONS 138HOON LAWS 138NOISE 138SAFETY EQUIPMENT 139TOWED WATER SPORTS 139CARRYING CAPACITY 139PENALTIES 139LICENSING AND REGISTRATION 140RIDE RIGHT 141133VICTORIAN RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY HANDBOOK

CHAPTER 5:PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC) VICTORIAN RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY HANDBOOK134

PERSONALWATERCRAFTPWC OPERATORCONDUCTA personal watercraft (PWC) is definedunder the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic)(MSA) as any recreational vessel that is ofa kind that is required to be registered andthat:Regardless of the type of PWC, it isimportant for operators to rememberthat PWCs are a type of vessel andare required to be operated within therules pertaining to ‘powerboats’. PWCsare generally much more powerful andmanoeuvrable than traditional powerboatsand, in the wrong hands, can presenta danger to the operator and to otherpeople using our waterways.a. has an engine that is used for propulsionb. has a fully enclosed hullc. does not retain water on it if it capsizes,andd. is designed to be operated by a personstanding, sitting astride or kneeling on thevessel but not seated within the vessel.A recent Monash University studycommissioned by TSV examined datafrom 2005 to 2015 and found that: PWCs are the vessel most commonlyinvolved in marine accidents andaccount for more than 30% of accidents the types of injuries suffered includeleg fractures and other injuries to knees,legs and feet injuries incurred on PWC are acommon cause of people needingtreatment at hospital these injuries are on the rise every year,with more people being admitted tohospital as a consequence.Many collisions between vessels resultfrom a lack of understanding of the rulesof safe navigation and/or carelessness.Remember, PWC operators are required to: maintain a proper lookout and travelat a safe speed at all times observe the rules.135VICTORIAN RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY HANDBOOK

PWC operators should: check for local rules which may applyspecifically to PWCs, such as personalwatercraft prohibited zones observe the rules know their limitations as well asthe limitations of the vessel invarying conditions be aware of potential hazards(allowing for the action of others,both reasonable and unreasonable) follow vessel manufacturer’sinstructions and maintenance schedule consider joining a PWC riders club orsimilar organisation to improve skills,knowledge and experience.When death, injury or property damageoccurs, report the incident details assoon as possible to the police officerspresent or to the police station nearestto where the accident took place.Remember: in surf areas, swimmers may behidden from view by waves and swell.Keep well away from areas whereswimmers are likely to be presentor slow right downSAFE SPEEDAll vessels are required to travel at a safespeed at all times. Manufacturers areprogressively introducing improvementsthat help the operator control the PWCand potentially avoid a collision. Whilethese improvements are beneficial tonew operators; nothing replaces theneed to learn the proper skills and havethe knowledge required to confidentlyand safely operate the PWC.The operator of a PWC must constantlymonitor the speed of the vessel toensure that a safe speed is beingmaintained. Follow speed signs andbuoys marking waterway zones.Remember, stunts and manoeuvresmust be done well away from otherpeople, other vessels and the shore.If you cannot maintain the minimumdistances off, you must slow downto 5 knots.Without power, a PWC haslittle or no steering. do not cut blind corners – slow down if vision is affected by the sun orspray – slow down or stop keep well clear of anchored ormoored vessels in channels and narrow stretchesof water, you must operate on theright hand or starboard side on circular bodies of water, travel inan anticlockwise pattern unless localwaterway rules specify otherwise stay out of PWC exclusion zones.VICTORIAN RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY HANDBOOK136CHAPTER 5:PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC)SPEED ANDDISTANCE RULES

KEEP YOUR DISTANCEThe main complaint received by marineauthorities relates to the operation ofPWCs close to other water users and/orthe water’s edge.These are minimum safety distances thatmust be applied on all waterways unlessa specific local rule provides otherwise.In Port Phillip Bay the 5 knot zone extendsto 500 m of the waters edge from MarthaPoint to Point Nepean National Park.Like any other boaters, PWC operatorsshould make sure that they know the rulesapplicable to any waterway they intend touse. See the Vessel Operating and ZoningRules (VOZR) for particulars and the generalrules as outlined in this Safety Handbook.When operating near beaches andswimmers, care must be taken to adhereto the speed and distance rules and beaware of people in the water.On ALL Victorian waters a 5 knot speed limit applies toboat operators and PWC operators within a distance of:50 m of a person, vessel, fixed or floating structureand the shore on inland waters50 m of a person, vessel, wharf, jetty, slipway, divingplatform or boat ramp on coastal and enclosed waters100 m of a dive flag200 m of the shore on enclosed and coastal watersor as per the scheduled waterway rules137VICTORIAN RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY HANDBOOK

The International Regulations forPreventing Collisions at Sea, which areadopted in Victoria by marine safetylegislation, apply to operators of allvessels including PWC riders. It is theresponsibility of anyone in charge ofa PWC to be able to correctly applythese rules in all circumstances.For more information on the CollisionRegulations, refer to the ‘Know theCollision Regulations’ section inChapter 2. ne of the most important rulesOis the requirement to maintain aproper look out at all times.HOON LAWSPWC operators are subject to hoonlegislation. The master of a PWC mustnot operate at a speed or in a mannerwhich is dangerous to the public, birdsand marine animals.A member of Victoria Police mayexercise the power to seize, impoundor immobilise a vessel. In addition,Victoria Police and MSV have thepower to embargo and prohibit the useand operation of a vessel.NOISEOne of the most common complaintsreceived about PWCs is noise. PWCoperators tend to congregate nearresidential or popular recreationareas and drive around repeatedlyin the same area. This noise can beirritating to people using the foreshoreand to residents often some distancefrom the water.Individually, most PWCs are notexcessively noisy when compared withother vessels. However, if continuallyoperated close to the shore, in groups,‘porpoising’ or performing manoeuvres,noise levels increase.Don’t operate a PWC in the earlymorning, or when winds are blowingonshore, if you are in populated areas –including camp sites.Respect the peace of other peopleand wildlife and remember, the fewercomplaints, the greater chance to enjoythe sport.VICTORIAN RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY HANDBOOK138CHAPTER 5:PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC) KNOW THE COLLISIONREGULATIONS

SAFETY EQUIPMENTTOWED WATER SPORTSThe operator and passengers, includinganyone being towed, must wear anapproved lifejacket Type 1, 2 or 3 at all times.PWCs are often used in towed watersports. Remember that when engagedin towed water sports on a PWC, therules for towed water sports must befollowed, including the need to carryan appropriate observer.PWCs must also carry a working,waterproof and buoyant torch at all times.A torch can be used to signal the shore orother vessels if you encounter difficulties.A PWC must show the navigation lightsfor a powerboat if operating at night.Note that a mast may be required for theall-round white light to ensure it is notobscured by the occupant(s).A registered EPIRB is to be carried onall vessels, including PWCs, if operatingmore than 2 nm from the coast. Considercarrying an EPIRB on all waters orwearing a PLB in case you are separatedfrom your PWC.The PWC must have seating for the masterand observer. You should consider havingadequate seating for any person(s) beingtowed.CARRYING CAPACITYTo determine the carrying capacity ofyour PWC, refer to the manufacturer’sspecifications.PENALTIESBoating is meant to be enjoyable and noone wants to finish up in trouble whenthey are out having fun.To operate a PWC on any Victorian waters,all PWC operators must hold a MarineLicense with PWC endorsement.Penalties exist for those operators who donot want to play by the rules. On-the-spotinfringements may be issued by VictoriaPolice, TSV transport safety officers andother external officers appointed by theSafety Director.139VICTORIAN RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY HANDBOOK

Approved boating safety trainingcourses are highly recommended forany person considering obtaining amarine licence. For more informationabout licensing and a list of trainingproviders, visit transportsafety.vic.gov.au/msv/licence and refer to Chapter 4of this handbook.Following a change to the law in 2017persons under 16 are not eligible for aPWC endorsement on their restrictedmarine licence. They may still learnto operate a PWC provided they aredirectly supervised by a person over18 who has a PWC endorsement and ison board the PWC in a position to takeimmediate control of the vessel.The owner of a registered recreationalvessel, that is a personal watercraft,must ensure that the identificationmark that is assigned by the SafetyDirector for that vessel is painted ordisplayed in appropriate characters:a. on each side of the hull of the vesselb. forward of the beam, andc. so that the highest part of each digitcommences at a point no more than25 mm below the gunwale.Appropriate characters meanscharacters that are:a. no less than 100 mm highb. in proportionate breadth, andc. coloured in contrast to the surface onwhich they are displayed.A person must not act as the masterof a registered vessel on State watersunless an identification mark ispainted or displayed on the vessel inaccordance with the above.These identification marks musttake preference over decals andstriping provided to decorate orcustomise the PWC.Be a courteous rider!IDENTIFICATION MARKVICTORIAN RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY HANDBOOK140CHAPTER 5:PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC) LICENSING AND REGISTRATION

RIDERIGHTYOU MUST FOLLOW THESE RULES:Carry your marinelicence with PWCendorsementWear a lifejacket andattach engine kill switchMaintain a properlookout at all times andtravel at a safe speedCarry a waterproofbuoyant torchCarry an EPIRB ifyou’re going more than2 nm off shoreRespect the rules,others, wildlife,environmentWe also recommend:Carrying a phone and PLB so you can callfor help, wearing protective clothing andletting someone know before you go.141VICTORIAN RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY HANDBOOK

CHAPTER 5:PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC)VICTORIAN RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY HANDBOOK142

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