As with other Australian states, the number of Jet Skis in NSW has grown dramatically in recent years.
However it seems not all Jet Ski riders know the rules – or have forgotten them after they passed the test to get their Jet Ski licence.
Strict rules apply to riders of Jet Skis and personal watercraft (PWC) – and there are big fines for doing the wrong thing.
Research by Watercraft Zone found it is easier and clearer to search online for a list of Jet Ski offences in NSW than it is for other states.
However we have also unearthed some offences and penalties that aren’t readily accessible.
With the assistance of NSW Police, NSW Maritime, and Transport for NSW, Watercraft Zone has compiled a list of some – but not all – Jet Ski offences and fines in NSW.
As there are no national rules for Jet Skis, some offences and fines listed below for NSW may or may not apply in other states.
For Jet Ski fines in other Australian states, see the links at the bottom of this story.
As is the case in Victoria and Queensland, authorities in NSW have the power to seize a vessel or Jet Ski for dangerous riding offences, as well as impose long-term waterway licence bans.
“A vessel involved in a serious offence may be seized and impounded by an authorised officer (Transport for NSW, Harbour Master or NSW Police).”
“The vessel may be forfeited from the owner under certain circumstances.”
“Serious or repeat offences under the marine legislation may result in cancellation, suspension or disqualification of your boat driving licence, and may also result in a court attendance notice and court proceedings.”
“If the owner wasn’t operating the vessel at the time of the offence, the owner must nominate the operator at that time.”
“The offence may still be recorded against the vessel, resulting in seizure or impoundment.”
“There are penalties if someone uses a PWC (Jet Ski) in an anti-social way. Anti-social behaviour includes operating a vessel in a way that menaces another person, is reckless or dangerous.”
“If someone uses a vessel in an ‘anti-social manner’, authorised officers may seize and impound the craft for three months.”
”The owner may have to pay the costs of seizing and storing the vessel before it can be returned to the owner of the vessel.”
“The vessel may be impounded regardless of who was operating it at the time of the offence.”
“If the vessel is used in an ‘anti-social manner’ for a second or subsequent time in a five-year period, authorised officers may seize and forfeit the vessel from the owner.”
“This can be done even if the two offences were committed by different operators and neither was the owner.”
Research by Watercraft Zone found NSW Police have confiscated three Jet Skis in the four years since the laws were introduced for menacing, predatory or dangerous riding offences.
Each watercraft was seized for a period of three months and the owners were charged $12 per day for storage.
To date, all three Jet Skis seized were collected by their owners after the three-month confiscation period once the storage costs were paid (approximately $1080 in addition to any fines issued for the offence).
Meantime, NSW Police and NSW Maritime officers are currently trialling body-worn cameras and the use of other cameras to record offences on waterways.
“If the cameras detect an offence … the marine legislation allows for an authorised officer to issue a penalty or court attendance notice to the vessel owner.”
“If the owner wasn’t operating the vessel, the owner must nominate the operator at the time of the offence. The offence is still recorded against the vessel. This may lead to impounding or seizure of the vessel.”
“Transport for NSW officers are trialling body-worn video cameras (to) improve officer safety, and help gather evidence into breaches of marine law.”
“When worn by a Transport officer, the cameras are clearly visible to the public. A consent to record is required before use.”
“Each recording is safely stored in a secure data management system. The recording is only kept as long as necessary.”
“To apply for a copy of the recording, email: maritimecompliance@transport.nsw.gov.au.”
NSW fines and penalties for Jet Skis:
- Operate PWC (Jet Ski) without a licence (first offence): $500 and disqualification of any boat licence
- Operate PWC (Jet Ski) without a licence (second and subsequent offences): $750 and disqualification of any boat licence
- Operate PWC (Jet Ski) while disqualified: Court Attendance Notice
- Operate unregistered PWC (Jet Ski): $500
- Not wear life jacket while operating or riding a PWC (Jet Ski): $250
- Offensive noise (sound system on vessel): $300
- Offensive noise (engine noise on vessel): $300
- Activate flares when not in distress: $500
- Fail to produce licence on demand: $500
- Refusal to identify self: $500
- Fail to stop when directed by patrol vessel with lights activated: $500
- Operating a vessel negligently: $500
- Not comply with safety direction: $500
- Operating a vessel recklessly or in a speed or manner that is dangerous: Court Attendance Notice.
- Operating a vessel that menaces another person: Court Attendance Notice
- Irregular riding of a PWC (Jet Ski) irregularly (in restriction zone or within 200m of dwelling): $250
- Breaching ‘distance off’ or safe distance rules PWC (Jet Ski): $250
- Disobey ‘no wash’ sign: $500
- Disobey other Transport signs: $250
- Fail to keep a proper lookout: $250
- Disobeying speed sign by less than 10 knots PWC (Jet Ski): $250
- Disobeying speed sign by more than 10 knots PWC (Jet Ski): $500
- Towing a person without a proper observer PWC (Jet Ski): $500
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