Boating rules in WA

The skipper is the person in charge of operating the vessel and is responsible for the safety of their vessel, passengers and other water users operating nearby.

Skipper’s responsibility checklist

1. Check the weather and tides. If in doubt about any of the conditions, don't go.
2. Tell someone where you plan to go and when you intend to return. If your plans change, let them know.
3. Check your vessel, safety equipment and trailer before every trip. Make sure your boat is suitable and capable of making the trip.
4. Carry all necessary supplies such as fuel, food and water in case of an emergency.
5. Study a nautical chart or local boating guide or check Deckee to find out more about the waters where you're travelling. 
6. Are you familiar with the many dangers on the water? Check the Safety and Weather Alerts on Deckee for the area.
7. Check speed limits, local laws and information about environment including obstructions, rocks and issues.
8. Ensure that all safety equipment is operational and in easy reach.
9. Let everyone know what safety equipment is carried, where it is stored and how it works.
10. Maintain stability by centrally loading your boat and check your craft is not overloaded. 
11. Check that your marine radio works.
12. Make sure you and your crew can handle the boat properly.
13. Be sure lifejackets fit all passengers properly and are in easy reach.
14. Consider the needs of all of your passengers. Do they have any special medical problems? Are they prone to sea sickness?
15. Be Wake Aware. Consider how you navigate your vessel to minimise your wake and prevent injuries to people, or damage to vessels, infrastructure or erosion.

You must hold a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket (RST) to operate a recreational vessel with a motor greater than 6hp (4.5 kilowatts).

You must be 14 years or older to apply for an RST.  

Children under the age of 10 cannot operate any vessel, even under supervision.

The person in charge of a recreational vessel with a motor of 6hp (4.5 kilowatts) or less is not required to hold a Recreational Skippers Ticket.

A person over 14 but under 16 years of age are restricted to operating during daylight hours at a speed less than 8 knots.

Children under the age of 10 cannot operate any vessel, even under supervision.

You must carry your RST card when boating.

Find out more about the Recreational Skippers Ticket (RST).

Medical fitness

Certain medical conditions could affect your ability to safely operate a recreational vessel safely. While holding an RST you are required to notify DoT if you develop a medical condition that impairs your safe operation of a vessel.

More information can be found on Get a Recreational Skipper's Ticket.

In WA, you must register any recreational vessel that is or can be propelled by mechanical power, including sailing vessels, to use it in Western Australian waters.

Vessel registration lasts for 12 months and must be renewed annually.

Find out how to register a vessel.

Vessels are required to carry certain items of safety equipment. The quantity and type of equipment depends on the vessel and how far offshore you travel.

Make sure you understand the minimum requirements.

All safety equipment must be maintained in very good condition and be accessible at all times.

Take the 30 Second Challenge to find out if you are ready to respond to a boating emergency.

Find out more on What safety equipment do I need?

Every skipper must understand and follow the ‘rules of the road’ for powerboats and sailboats in Western Australian waters.

Find out about the collision rules (rules of the road) including rules for approaching and giving way to vessels. 

The Western Australian Marine Act 1982 has been amended with stricter laws that apply to skippers recklessly, dangerously and carelessly navigating a vessel.

Additional amendments are applied to skippers navigating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

At all times, an 8-knot speed limit applies when your vessel is:

• going through an arch of a bridge (unless specifically permitted for water skiing).
• in or through mooring areas.
• in any water having a depth of less than 3 metres unless gazetted otherwise.
• within 15 metres of a vessel underway.
• within 50 metres of:
  • a moored vessel.
  • a person in the water.
  • a jetty or wharf.
  • a river bank or low water mark.

Some other areas may also have posted speed limits, which must be strictly obeyed. Please be familiar with where these areas are.

Find out more about speed limits in WA waters. 

There is no restriction to how far you can travel from the shore.

The skipper of the vessel is responsible for determining how far from the shore they can operate safely.

You should consider the weather conditions, vessel capability and ability of the skipper to determine how far offshore you travel. 

There is no restriction to how far you can travel from the shore.

The skipper of the vessel is responsible for determining how far from the shore they can operate safely.

You should consider the weather conditions, vessel capability and ability of the skipper to determine how far offshore you travel. 

Accident and incident reporting

Marine incidents must be reported to the Department of Transport within 7 days. These include any collisions that result in:

• serious injury or death of any person
• a vessel becoming unseaworthy or unsafe.

For more information go to boating emergencies and incidents for more information.

Assisting people in distress

All skippers have a legal obligation to assist others in distress unless:

• they are unable to (for example, they are too far away)
• assistance is not required (for example, if Marine Rescue has taken over)
• doing so will endanger their own vessel, crew or passengers. 

All marine safety signs must be strictly obeyed. These include those that indicate special-use areas such as mooring areas, water ski areas, and prohibited or restricted areas.

Restricted areas of navigable waters

There are waterways in WA that have restrictions, such as:

• maximum speed limits 
• areas where swimming is prohibited
• areas for water skiing and personal watercraft
• areas closed to motorised vessels.

Download the Restricted areas of navigable waters document below or use the Deckee app for information regarding restricted areas along our coastline.

You must not interfere with, remove or damage any beacon, buoy or other aid to navigation.

Navigational aids, channels and waterways must be kept clear for all vessels at all times.

You must not:

• place buoyed objects; such as crab nets, fishing nets or markers in any channel, fairway or passage
• anchor or moor a vessel in these areas, unless you are in distress
• secure a vessel to a beacon or other navigation aid. 

Find out more about navigation markers and buoys.

Sewage from vessels are a major source of marine pollution.

Find out about the pollution and sewage regulations and where sewage can be discharged.