The revolutionary Yamaha CrossWave – a four-seat fishing Jet Ski – will not be allowed on Sydney Harbour despite it being the largest personal watercraft introduced to date, and having a slower top speed than most Jet Skis.
Jet Skis have been banned on Sydney Harbour since 2001 and are only allowed on the iconic waterway on rare occasions as part of controlled special events.
Some Jet Ski enthusiasts are hopeful the Yamaha CrossWave might be allowed on Sydney Harbour given its size, and the fact that it is designed to appeal to families rather than hoons.
It is unclear if Yamaha Australia or Yamaha WaveRunner dealers have made representations to NSW Maritime and Transport for NSW about a possible exemption.
However, NSW Maritime and Transport for NSW provided responses to the following queries from Watercraft Zone.
Would NSW Maritime / Transport for NSW consider a request to enable use of the Yamaha CrossWave on Sydney Harbour or has this already been ruled out?
“[Transport for NSW] would not consider the operation of a personal watercraft (PWC) on Sydney Harbour unless under an exemption from marine legislation associated with an approved aquatic event.”
Will the Yamaha CrossWave be classified as a PWC and therefore be banned on Sydney Harbour?
“Yes, the Crosswave meets the definition of a PWC under the Marine Safety Regulations.
A personal watercraft by definition is a power-driven vessel that:
(a) has a fully enclosed hull, and
(b) does not retain water taken on if it capsizes, and
(c) is designed to be operated by a person lying, standing, sitting astride or kneeling on the vessel but not seated within the vessel.”
When asked about the distinction between the Yamaha CrossWave and the Sea-Doo Switch – an eight-seat, tri-hull, pontoon boat powered by a jet pump and which uses handlebars for steering – which is allowed on Sydney Harbour, Transport for NSW said:
“The Sea-Doo Switch tri-hull does not meet the definition of a PWC. It is boat coded and registered as an open runabout vessel, and is required to comply with safety equipment and registration for a vessel.”
As previously reported, the Yamaha CrossWave will arrive in Australia initially in limited numbers – but in time for summer – priced from $52,990 excluding trailer and registration.
Yamaha WaveRunner dealers in Australia canvassed by Watercraft Zone say they are already holding orders and are been pleased with the customer response.
One prominent Yamaha WaveRunner dealer told Watercraft Zone:
“Hardcore Jet Ski buyers might not appreciate [the CrossWave] but this craft is appealing to a new type of buyer.
“It’s either people who want a four-seater so they don’t need to buy two skis, or fishermen who want more space and practicality than on the [Sea-Doo] Fish Pro.”
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