Boat owners thinking of enjoying this year's Australia Day Lotterywest Skyworks from the water have been told to plan their trip and make safety the priority.

The Department for Planning and Infrastructure has produced a special guide to highlight the river closures and restrictions and provide safety information to assist boat owners.

Department Marine Officers who will be controlling all on-water activities for the event say boat owners should complete a full safety check of their vessel, including navigation lights, before leaving home.

All vessels must have the correct combination of navigation lights when they are on the water after sunset to sunrise. In addition, it is recommended life jackets and flares are carried on board when on the river.

Skippers also require a Recreational Skipper's Ticket to be in charge of a vessel with a motor of more than 4.5 kilowatts (6HP).

Coordinator Safety and Compliance Peter Beattie said the Department was also advising skippers to delay their journey home following the event  to ease congestion on the river and avoid delays at boat ramps.

“Conditions can be particularly hazardous for small craft as traffic on the water is at its peak and we are calling on skippers to delay their trip home by up to an hour," Mr Beattie said.

"Skippers need to be patient and courteous to other boat owners."

On water restrictions for the event include:

• an eight knot speed limit will apply from Quarry point to the Causeway between 3pm and 11pm;
• Perth Water will be closed to all vessels from 5pm to 10pm; 
• vessels are only to anchor or moor in the spectator craft areas; and,
• the Narrows Bridge main navigation channel (centre arch only) is to be used by all vessels.

Several exclusion zones have also been implemented around the large barges required for the event.

In addition, the personal water craft freestyle area west of the Narrows Bridge will be closed from 3pm to allow vessels to anchor, while bathing is prohibited from 3pm to 11pm in the restricted waters upstream of Quarry Point to the Causeway.

The Belmont ski area will also be closed from 3pm to accommodate an increase in river traffic from the Maylands and Goodwood Parade boat ramps.

Boat owners are also reminded that as usual after dark the speed limit on the Swan and Canning Rivers is 10 knots.

While it is not a requirement for all vessels to be fitted with a radio, boats fitted with one are asked to monitor 27.94 Mhz or VHF 9 and use the call sign ‘Marine Command’.

People wanting more information can log on to the Department’s website: www.dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine or contact the Marine Operations Centre on (08) 9431 1000.

The Swan River Trust will be actively encouraging people at Skyworks to protect shoreline vegetation and habitat by launching only from designated areas.

To report damage to the Swan and Canning rivers or shorelines, contact the Trust on 9278 0900 or after hours 0419 192 845.

Media contact: Bronwyn Hillman 0408 098 220

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