As with other Australian states, the number of Jet Skis in South Australia has grown dramatically in recent years.
But 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 South Australia are not easy to find online.
With the assistance of South Australia’s Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Watercraft Zone has compiled a list of some – but not all – Jet Ski offences and fines in South Australia.
As there are no national rules for Jet Skis, some offences and fines listed below for South Australia may or may not apply in other states.
For Jet Ski fines for other Australian states, see the links at the bottom of this story.
For example, while authorities in Queensland, NSW and Victoria have the power to confiscate a Jet Ski for dangerous or menacing riding offences, authorities in South Australia currently have limited powers to seize or take control of a vessel.
A spokesperson for South Australia’s Department for Infrastructure and Transport told Watercraft Zone:
“Police and waterway authorities in South Australia do not seize or confiscate vessels for dangerous riding, but they are authorised to inspect and direct a vessel back to shore.”
“South Australia Police can search and seize assets, including vessels, if they have a relevant warrant.”
South Australia fines and penalties for Jet Skis:
- Operate PWC (Jet Ski) without a licence: $417
- Operate unregistered PWC (Jet Ski): $417
- Not wear life jacket while operating or riding a PWC (Jet Ski): $262
- Disobeying SA Transport signs: $262
- Offensive noise (sound system on vessel): $262
- Offensive noise (engine noise on vessel): $262
- Activate flares when not in distress: $207
- Fail to state name and address, fail to produce evidence of licence or registration, make false or misleading statement, fail to follow direction of an authorised officer: Maximum penalty of $1250 per offence.
- Operating a vessel negligently, operating a vessel recklessly or in a speed or manner that is dangerous: Court Attendance Notice.
- Operating a vessel without due care for the safety of any person or property: Court Attendance Notice. Maximum penalty up to $5000 and/or 12 months imprisonment.
- Operating a vessel at a dangerous speed or in a dangerous manner: Court Attendance Notice, up to two years imprisonment.
- Operating a vessel in a manner that menaces another person: Court Attendance Notice.
- Operating a vessel in the vicinity of any person in or near the water or on a vessel – in a manner that is likely to cause nuisance or annoyance to the other person – is guilty of an offence. Court Attendance Notice, fine up to $2500.
- Operate vessel at speed in excess of 4 knots in a 4-knot zone: $262
- Overtake vessel in channel unsafely: $417
- Operate a vessel within 100 metres behind a person being towed: $417
- Failing to keep clear of other vessel in area towing a person: $417
- Operating a vessel at a speed in excess of 4 knots in a 4-knot zone (such as No Wake or No Wash), within 30 metres of any vessel that may be adversely affected by the wash of the vessel: Maximum penalty $1250.
Source: Department for Infrastructure and Transport of South Australia.
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