Australia’s island state of Tasmania has a burgeoning Jet Ski community as riders explore some of the most pristine waterways in the world.
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 Tasmania are not easy to find online.
With the assistance of Marine And Safety Tasmania (MAST), the waterway authority in the state, Watercraft Zone has compiled a list of some – but not all – Jet Ski offences and fines in Tasmania.
As there are no national rules for Jet Skis, for comparison purposes we have listed some Jet Ski offences and fines that apply in other states, but which are not applicable in Tasmania.
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 Tasmania currently have limited powers to seize or take control of a vessel.
A spokesperson for Marine and Safety Tasmania told Watercraft Zone “authorised officers” from government agencies such as Tasmania Police, Inland Fisheries Service or Parks and Wildlife services are able to:
“Take charge of and move a vessel or PWC (Jet Ski) to a place of safe custody.”
“This is not a seizure, but the power to take charge of a vessel and move it.”
“Powers can be used by any authorised officer at a time they deem necessary.”
For Jet Ski fines for other Australian states, see the links at the bottom of this story.
Tasmania fines and penalties for Jet Skis:
- Operate PWC (Jet Ski) without a licence: $404
- Operate unregistered PWC (Jet Ski): $404
- Not wear life jacket while operating or riding a PWC (Jet Ski): $202
- Activate flares when not in distress: Court Attendance Notice
- Failure to produce licence/identify yourself: $404
- Not comply with safety direction by authorised person: $404
- Disobey speed sign $202 (all speeding offences)
- Disobeying ‘no wash’ sign: N/A
- Disobeying other Transport signs: N/A
- Offensive noise (sound system on vessel): N/A
- Offensive noise (engine noise): N/A
- Operating a vessel negligently: N/A
- Operating a vessel recklessly or in a speed or manner that is dangerous: $202
- Operating a vessel in a manner that menaces another person: $202
- Breaching ‘distance off’ (minimum distance) rules PWC (Jet Ski): $202
- Operating a PWC (Jet Ski) irregularly (in restriction zone or within 200m of dwelling): $202
Source: Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST).
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