As with other Australian states, the number of Jet Skis in Queensland 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.
However, the offences and fines for Jet Skis and personal watercraft in Queensland are not easy to find online.
With the assistance of Queensland Police and Maritime Safety Queensland, Watercraft Zone has compiled a list of some – but not all – Jet Ski offences and fines in Queensland.
As there are no national rules for Jet Skis, some offences and fines listed below for Queensland 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 NSW, authorities in Queensland have the power to seize a vessel or Jet Ski for dangerous riding offences.
However, authorities say no Jet Skis have been seized for dangerous riding offences in the past five years in Queensland.
Here is a list of questions from Watercraft Zone and the responses from Maritime Safety Queensland.
WZ: In what circumstances can a PWC (Jet Ski) be confiscated in QLD?
Marine Safety Queensland response: “A shipping inspector may seize a ship (which includes a PWC or Jet Ski) if the inspector believes, on reasonable grounds, the (vessel) has committed an offence as stated in the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act.”
WZ: Who are authorised “shipping inspectors” in Queensland?
MSQ: “Shipping inspectors include delegated officers from Maritime Safety Queensland, Queensland Police, Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol and Seawater.”
WZ: Would a confiscation of a Jet Ski occur for an offence at the more serious end of freestyle riding, irregular riding, or dangerous riding?
MSQ: “A PWC (Jet Ski) may be seized where it is required as evidence of an offence, and generally would only be seized in circumstances where an unsafe activity resulted in a marine incident – or where a shipping inspector believes, on reasonable grounds, it is necessary to prevent the continued commission of an offence against the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act.”
WZ: In the past five years how many PWCs (Jet Skis) have been seized by Queensland waterway authorities?
“MSQ has not seized a PWC (Jet Ski) for a freestyle or speed offence in the past five years. A number of PWCs (Jet Skis) have been seized as evidence after being involved in a marine incident.”
WZ: Are confiscated PWCs (Jet Skis) sold and forfeited to the crown, destroyed, or eventually returned to the owner?
MSQ: “Generally, seized items, including PWCs (Jet Skis), are returned to the owner when they are no longer required as evidence, or within six months, or at the end of a prosecution including any appeal period.
“Queensland’s marine safety legislation also provides the authority for courts to make reasonable orders upon conviction for an offence against the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act, which could include forfeiture or orders prohibiting an offender owning or operating a (vessel).”
While Queensland authorities have been helpful compiling this list (as they are not easily found online) some queries remain below. We will update this list as soon as we receive the final response to our queries.
Queensland fines and penalties for Jet Skis:
- Operate a PWC (Jet Ski) unlicenced/without appropriate licence: $645
- Owner of a PWC (Jet Ski) allows unlicensed person to operate their vessel: $322
- Operate a PWC (Jet Ski) while it is unregistered: $322
- Not display vessel registration as required: $322
- Not wear life jacket while operating or riding a PWC (Jet Ski): $322
- Activate flares when not in distress (misuse prescribed signal of distress): $806
- Operating vessel recklessly or in a manner that menaces another person: Court Attendance Notice
- Exceed posted speed limit: $322
- Operate PWC (Jet Ski) faster than 6 knots within 60m of person in water: $483
- Operate PWC (Jet Ski) faster than 6 knots within 60m of anchored/moored vessel: $483
- Operate PWC (Jet Ski) faster than 6 knots within 60m of jetty/wharf/boat ramp/pontoon: $483
- Operate PWC (Jet Ski) faster than 6 knots within 60m of boundary of bathing reserve: $483
- Fail to keep a proper lookout: Answer pending
- Offensive noise (sound system on vessel): Answer pending
- Offensive noise (engine noise on vessel): Answer pending
- Fail to produce licence on demand/identify self: Answer pending
- Fail to stop when directed by patrol vessel with lights activated: Answer pending
- Irregular riding: Answer pending
- Disobey No Wash sign: Answer pending
- Breaching ‘distance off’ (minimum distance) rules for PWC (Jet Skis): Answer pending
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