Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) is focussing on personal water craft (PWC) safety this summer, launching its new ‘Be cool, respect the rules’ PWC ride safe campaign.

The campaign encourages PWC operators to be more aware of their responsibilities and accountable for their behaviour on the water.

TSV, in collaboration with the Water Police, will be looking to ensure that operators stick to the following rules:

PWC operators must not exceed a speed limit of 5 knots (that’s 8KPH) on all waters within:

• 50 m of swimmers, other vessels and fixed or floating structures
• 100m of divers/divers’ flag
• 50m of water’s edge (inland)
• 200m of water’s edge (coastal and enclosed).

TSV also advises riders to be on the lookout for and report hoon behaviour that gives the PWC community a bad reputation. This can include:

• doing doughnuts near swimmers
• speeding near swimmers or close to shore
• endangering water skiers by going too close to their wake.

Penalties for dangerous PWC behaviour include:

• seizure
• impoundment
• immobilisation

Under new marine laws, owners and operators of PWCs are responsible for their own safety and the safety of others. This includes not intentionally endangering people on-board or other waterway users such as swimmers.

Be cool, respect the rules. Keep a safe distance from swimmers and the shore.

TSV’s campaign is supported by a Facebook page dubbed “PWC Ride safe”, a series of safety focussed YouTube videos and interaction with the PWC community.

For more information

Visit www.transportsafety.vic.gov.au
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/PWCridesafe
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/TransportSafetyVic