Rules and regulations
Western Australia’s waters keep getting busier, and a great range of activities share the limited space. To ensure the safety of all boaters, there are rules and regulations.
Skippers should have a good knowledge of the specific rules and regulations that apply within the navigable waters of Western Australia.
Responsibilities and duty of care
Long before the modern expression ‘duty of care’ was invented, the concept was accepted as the skipper’s job. It does not matter whether you are the master of a large ship or skipper of your own trailer boat – you are responsible for the safety of your vessel, crew and passengers; you must not endanger any other vessel; and you must be ready to assist others who need help.
In this workbook you will find advice on planning trips, preparing your vessel, briefing your passengers and taking account of their special needs. Having a good working knowledge of the workbook’s contents will be a very good start to becoming a responsible skipper.
Marine safety signs
All special-use areas – this includes water skiing, boating prohibited and swimming prohibited – have signs at the limits of the areas. These must be strictly obeyed. At the launching ramps near ski areas there are also signs explaining the rules for that particular area, hours of operation, direction of the ski circuit, etc.
Areas subject to speed limits will have signs depicting the maximum speed limit for the area. Make yourself familiar with these requirements.
Age requirements and restrictions for skippers
RST exempt vessel
A person in charge of a recreational vessel with a motor of 4.5 kilowatts (6hp) or less ( RST Exempt Vessel) is not required to hold an RST. However children under the age of 10 years may not drive a motor boat.
RST Vessel
A person in charge of a recreational vessel with a motor greater than 4.5 kilowatts (6hp) (RST vessel) is required to hold an RST. However, the following age restrictions apply:
14 – 16 years: restricted to operating during daylight hours at a speed less than 8 knots.
Persons over 10 years of age that do not hold an RST, may drive an RST vessel if they are under the direct supervision of a person who is at least 18 years of age and is the holder of an RST.
Important note:
As of 1 April 2008, all people who are in charge of an RST vessel, must hold an RST.
Mooring areas
There are many sheltered places in WA waters where boat owners lay moorings. In most cases this is acceptable (although it is wise to check first with your local Department office). Some places, though, (Rottnest and the Swan and Canning rivers are examples) are controlled mooring areas, and you need permission to lay a mooring – which must be of a specified standard.
You may not use a mooring within a mooring control area unless you have approval from the Department or the local authority.
There must be only one vessel at a time on a mooring, and it must be no larger than the mooring was designed and approved for.
View further information on moorings.
Speed limit restrictions
You are not allowed to travel at a speed or in a way that causes a nuisance or damage to people or other vessels, or causes damage or erosion to the bank or property.
Without the approval of the Department you may not drive a powerboat at over 8 knots:
- through an arch of a bridge (unless water skiing is specifically permitted for a bridge);
- in or through a mooring area;
- within 15 metres of a vessel underway; and
- within 45 metres of:
(i) a moored vessel;
(ii) a person in the water;
(iii) a jetty or wharf; or
(iv) a river bank or low water mark.
Obstruction of navigation aids, channels and leads
- Crab nets, fishing nets, marker buoys – or any other buoyed objects – are not allowed in any channel, fairway or passage without the permission of the Department.
- Anchoring or mooring is also prohibited in these areas unless you are in distress.
- You must not secure a vessel to a beacon or other navigation aid.
Limits for small vessels
Vessels under 3.75 metres in length (including personal watercraft) may not go further to sea than five nautical miles from the mainland.
Accident / Incident reporting
When an accident results in serious injury or death, or the vessel has been damaged enough to make it unseaworthy or unsafe, the owner or skipper must report full particulars of the incident to the Department within seven days.
You can pick up a special form from the Department’s offices, download it from our Forms. Alternatively, contact us and we will post one out to you.
Assisting people in distress
All boaters have a legal obligation to assist people in distress unless:
- they are unable to – perhaps the call for assistance was from too far away;
- assistance is not required – perhaps Sea Rescue has taken over; or
- the circumstances make it too dangerous.
If an accident occurs nearby, you must assist where possible, provided it does not seriously endanger you or your passengers.
