Personal Water CraftAre you towing the line?

IntroductionPersonal Water Craft (PWC) are very popular in Tasmania. Cruising, wave jumping, surf riding and skiing are just a few ways to have fun on your PWC. Whatever activity you choose, the best way to enjoy your sport is safely.

Whether you own or just borrow a PWC, it is vital you know how to ride your craft safely and understand the rules and regulations that apply in this state. These rules include licensing and registration, speeds and distances and safety equipment requirements.

Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) receives complaints about PWC. In fact, the majority of all complaints received involve PWC and ski boats.

In safe and sensible hands, PWC are a great way to have fun on the water, but PWC riders should not operate their craft near popular swimming beaches and residential areas. Thoughtless riders who do not obey the rules around swimmers can damage the reputation of PWC.

PWC owners and riders should be aware of the public perception of these craft and should take steps to make sure this sport is well accepted in the community.

If the public can’t see us, they can’t hear us and they can’t smell us, they won’t complain about us!

This brochure outlines the legal requirements that PWC operators must adhere to and gives some tips that we can all adopt to increase the acceptance of our sport.

Marine and Safety Tasmania - making boating better

LicensingAnyone operating a PWC must hold a Motor Boat Licence. This licence is required to be endorsed to operate a PWC.

The only way to get a licence is to attend a BoatSafe Practical Tuition Course.

BoatSafe Practical Tuition Course

The BoatSafe course allows candidates to gain the necessary tuition and experience.

The course is run by accredited providers and involves on-water training covering a range of competencies and takes approximately 4-5 hours. Once this course has been completed, a licence test is also required. This can be completed with the accredited provider or at Service Tasmania.

While most providers offer courses in motor boats, Surf Life Saving Tasmania (SLST) is an accredited provider offering courses specific to PWC use. SLST can also offer courses for riders who want to operate in the surf and for those people who want to use a PWC for “tow-in” surfing.

To contact SLST, phone (03) 6222 6555 or visit their website at www.slst.asn.au

A full list of MAST accredited providers is available at www.mast.tas.gov.au

PWC Licence Endorsement

To operate a PWC, you must hold a motor boat licence and a PWC Endorsement. The endorsement is attained by attending a practical course with SLST.

If you plan to operate a PWC and intend to do the BoatSafe Course to gain your motor boat licence, the SLST course will offer the PWC Endorsement course at the same time.

RegistrationAll craft operating on the water with motors 4hp or greater, including PWC, are required to be registered and are required to display a registration sticker.

They are also required to display registration numbers. These should be clearly displayed in a contrasting colour and should not be obscured by stripes and graphics and must be at least 75mm in height.

Safety EquipmentThere are certain items of safety equipment that must be carried on a PWC. In addition to this equipment, there are a number of items of clothing and gear which will make your riding safer and more comfortable.

You should always wear a wetsuit, gloves and booties. This is particularly important due to the water temperature in Tasmania.

A wetsuit will also provide additional flotation when you fall off and guard against cuts and bruises, while wetsuit boots will aid with grip.

Impact resistant goggles or glasses are also recommended and should be available from most PWC dealers.

You must also wear a personal flotation device (PFD).

Riders have the option to wear either a PFD Level 150 or 100. Most PWC specific PFDs are normally a Level 50 Special Purpose, however Level 50s are also acceptable. Some designs have a hard outer shell offering increased impact resistance.

Riders are also required to carry a fire extinguisher on their PWC. There is normally a specifically-designed place for it under the hood.

Safe OperationPWC are very different to traditional motor boats so riders should familiarise themselves with their craft and get plenty of practice at a sensible speed before attempting to operate the craft at increased speeds and perform typical PWC manoeuvres. Operators should not attempt manoeuvres beyond their capabilities and should also carefully read and understand the owner’s manual and all warning labels before riding their craft.

It is recommended that anyone who gained their endorsement prior to the compulsory practical course should consider updating their skills by completing one of the courses offered by SLST. The tuition gained from such a course will provide knowledge which cannot be acquired from reading a book and will make your time on the water safer, more accepted and a lot more fun.

Practical courses will also provide you with maintenance information that could save you a lot of money. Inexperienced operators can cause damage to their craft when wave jumping and performing other manoeuvres.

Steerage

PWC 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.

Ignition cut out safety line

All PWC have a safety ignition cut off key (lanyard) which is designed to stop the engine if you fall off your PWC. 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.

Howrah Beach Bellerive Beach

Kingston Beach

Boat launching area

Blackmans Bay

5 knot speed limit

Howrah Point

Bridport

Sandy Bay Sailing Club

Nutgrove Beach

5 knot speed limit within 200m of waterline

5 knot speed limit within 200m of waterline

5 knot speed limit

Pier Point

Croquet Lawn Bay

Mermaids Beach

Kangaroo Bluff

5 knot speed limit within

200m of waterline

Flowerpot Point

5 knot speed limit

Beach Road

Kingston Beach Sailing Club

Speeds and Distances

All motorised vessels cannot exceed a speed of 5 knots when within:

›› 60 metres of the shore, a wharf, jetty or another boat

›› 120 metres of a swimmer, diver or someone wading in the water

›› Designated 5 knot areas around the state

Some designated 5 knot areas that may affect the operation of PWC are listed below. A full list is available on the MAST website.

Carlton Beach Lake Trevallyn

Tiger Head Beach

5 knot speed limit within 60 metres of moored vessels

Carlton BeachAquatic Point

Park/Carlton Beach prohibited for navigation of boats

(excluding Carlton River mouth)

Buoy Line

Stephendales Bay

This area prohibited for navigation by

boats

• Wear an approved PFD and carry the required safety equipment.• Freestyling is not permitted within 200m of swimmers

and within 200m of the shore when there is a domesticdwelling within 100m of that shoreline.

• Attach the cut-out safety line (if provided).

- within 60m of a wharf, jetty, ramps and moorings- within 60m of the shoreline and other vessels- within 120m of swimmers, divers/diving flag

IT IS COMPULSORY TO AFFIX THIS STICKERADJACENT TO THE PWC CONTROLS

Prohibited Areas

Throughout Tasmania there are many areas which are prohibited to motor boats/PWC. Several of these areas are around popular swimming areas, notably Park Beach in the south and Stephensdale Bay on Lake Trevallyn. These areas are shown below.

Safe Operation Sticker

As it is often commonplace for PWC operators to allow friends with licences to operate their craft for short periods, a safe operation sticker is required on all PWC. This reminds both operators and owners of their responsibilities. It is compulsory to affix this sticker adjacent to the PWC controls.

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 PWC also use the surf. You must operate your PWC at least 120 metres away from people in the water. When wave jumping you have little control over where your craft lands, so it is important you avoid collisions and injury to yourself and others.

To ensure there are no complaints, we recommend you don’t use your PWC within 300 metres of swimmers.

Waterskiing

PWC are great for waterskiing, wakeboarding and any other form of towing someone behind the craft, but there are several rules that apply.

It is a requirement to have an observer, with a minimum age of 10 years, watching the skier at all times. Therefore, waterskiing can only occur on 2 or 3 seater PWC. The operator, observer and person being towed must also wear a PFD.

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

PWC owners who waterski should also ensure they don’t operate in an anti-clockwise direction when skiing in confined areas such as Longford, Trevallyn, Lake Barrington and New Norfolk. They should also familiarise themselves with any other local rules which may apply.

Designated Ski Areas

There are several areas that are set aside as designated ski areas. In these areas boaters must not exceed a speed of 5 knots unless towing a skier. Freestyling and excessive speeding are not permitted. These areas include Lake Trevallyn and the South Esk River adjacent to the South Esk Drive, Hadspen and the River Derwent from Sorell Creek up river to the caravan park ramp.

Freestyling

Freestyling causes the most problems with other waterway users and nearby residents, as it can be unsafe and is annoying and noisy. Freestyling is an erratic and non-directional operation which would make it difficult for other water users to predict the craft’s course to avoid a collision.

When you are freestyling, be aware of other waterway users. Don’t operate in the early morning or when winds are blowing onshore in populated areas and never operate close to beaches. Freestyling is not permitted within 200m of a swimmer or within 200m of a shoreline when there is a building used for human habitation within 100m of that shoreline.

Alway 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.

Tasmanian Jet Sport Boating Club

The TJSBC is the only PWC club in the state and is affiliated with the Australian Jet Sport Boating Club. The aim of the Club is to provide members with a safe environment in which to operate for the various activities undertaken.

The Club’s activities include short and long course racing throughout the State as well as time trials, tours and fun events.

MAST encourages membership as the Club aims to promote PWC usage in a safe and controlled manner for the growth and sustainability of the sport. More importantly, being part of a group facilitates an increased transfer of information and useful tips that can make your riding more enjoyable.

Ask your local PWC dealer for the TJSBC contact number or visit their website at www.pwctas.com

MAST contact details:5 Franklin Wharf Hobart, Tasmania, 7000

Postal Address: GPO Box 607 Hobart, Tasmania, 7001

Phone: 1300 135 513 Fax: 03 6233 5662

Web: www.mast.tas.gov.au Email: admin@mast.tas.gov.au

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