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Personal water craft
Find out about the rules and safety equipment requirements for using a personal water craft (jet ski) in WA.
A personal water craft (PWC), commonly known as a jet ski, is a craft propelled by an inboard motor powering a water jet pump. The operator sits, stands or kneels on the vessel and uses handle bars to steer the craft.
PWC, power boards and similar craft are considered to be power boats and must be registered.
You must have a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket to operate a PWC and must comply with:
- age restrictions
- rules on how far they can operate offshore
- safety equipment requirements
- speed limits
- collision rules.
Every person on board a PWC must wear a lifejacket (minimum level50s) at all times, from launching until retrieval.
Rules of use
Distance offshore
The length of a vessel no longer determines how far from the shore it can travel. It is now the responsibility of the skipper to determine how far from shore is safe to operate after considering weather conditions, capability of the vessel, including the vessel length, and experience and ability of the skipper.
Skippers ticket and age limits
You must hold a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket to operate a PWC.
You must be 14 years or older to get an RST.
A person aged between 14 and 16 years who holds an RST must only operate a PWC during daylight hours and at a maximum speed of 8 knots.
Freestyling, wave and wake jumping
Freestyling is driving a PWC in a way that the skipper of another vessel would be unable to predict your course and speed to avoid a collision with you. For example, doing ‘doughnuts’, 180 degree turns and hops.
Wave and wake jumping is driving your PWC over a wave or swell with the aim of becoming airborne. The wave or the swell may be formed naturally or by the passage of a vessel.
Freestyling, wave and wake jumping are prohibited within:
- any speed restricted area
- 30 metres of another PWC
- 50 metres of another vessel or person in the water.
Freestyling is prohibited in the Swan and Canning Rivers except in the gazetted freestyle area downstream of the Narrows Bridge.
Using a PWC in water ski areas
When using a PWC to tow a water-skier you must follow all rules and regulations for water-skiing.
Safety equipment requirements
Every person on board a PWC must wear a lifejacket (minimum level 50s) at all times, from launching until retrieval. This includes moving your PWC to a tie up position or beach area following launch.
Unprotected waters
When operating beyond 400 metres from the shore in unprotected waters, you must also carry:
- a GPS-enabled EPIRB or wear a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
- at least 2 handheld red flares and 2 handheld orange flares. Electronic Visual Distress Signals (EVDS) may be carried instead of flares if a GPS-enabled EPIRB is carried or PLB is worn
- a marine radio when travelling beyond 4 nautical miles from shore.
| Safety guidelines: Ride safe | Kb | |
| Personal Water Craft (PWC) requirements: Safety equipment reference (Printable) | Kb | |
| Narrows personal watercraft freestyling | Kb | |
Prohibited areas for PWC
You cannot use a PWC anywhere in the Swan Estuary Marine Park.
All waters upstream of the Windan Bridge in East Perth are closed to PWC.
Always check the information signs at boat launching ramps for any restrictions before using your PWC.
Download our boating guides or the Deckee app for more information on water activity zones in popular waterways in WA.
Aerial freestyle devices
Aerial freestyle devices, such as jetpacks, hover-boards and fly-boards are devices which can be connected to a PWC and use the water pressure to propel the person using the device at the surface of the water, into the air and/or underwater.
For information including where the activity may be conducted, who may participate and what conditions must be met view Western Australian Marine Act 1982: Closed Waters Order - Aerial Freestyle Devices.
You should be familiar with the safety advice and instructions from the aerial freestyle device's manufacturer. Operating the device in conditions which are not in line with the manufacturer's advice could raise the risk of injury or incident.
Commercial operation
Commercial operation of Aerial Freestyle devices is regulated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) under the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012. Visit the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) website for more information.
| Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) |
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FAQs
Can I operate a PWC in the upper reaches of the Swan River?
No. While most areas on the Swan Canning Riverpark are open and available to use PWCs, there are several zones that are closed, or ‘off limits’. All waters upstream of the Windan Bridge are closed to PWC.
View the Swan Canning Riverpark: Boating guide for more information.
What is the speed limit for PWCs at Blackwall Reach?
The speed limit at Blackwall Reach is strictly 8 knots and this applies to all boats. Blackwall Reach is a busy waterway subject to heavy boat traffic of varying sizes, and an area with a large number of moorings. Restricted speed limits through this area help to reduce erosion and ensure the safe passage and water usage for everyone.
Can I freestyle on my PWC around Deepwater Point in the Canning River?
No. There is only one freestyling area in the Swan Canning Riverpark. This area can be accessed from the Mill Street boat ramp. Freestyling outside of this area is not permitted.
What is the speed limit at Deepwater Point?
5 knots from sunset to 9.00am. A person shall not cause a vessel to travel at a speed exceeding 5 knots upstream of the Canning Bridge except inside the Mount Pleasant water ski area between the hours of 9.00am and sunset. The speed limit for PWC and other vessels close to shore around Deepwater Point area is 8 knots.
Are there areas near Deepwater Point where I am not allowed to use a PWC?
Yes. The area immediately downriver from the point, near the Esplanade, is closed, or ‘off limits’ to all boats and/or vessels with motors, including PWCs.
Can I freestyle on Logue Brook Dam?
No. Freestyle driving, wave jumping, and surfing are not permitted on Logue Brook Dam. Approximately 70% of cautions at Logue Brook Dam are due to PWC users performing freestyle actions.
View the Logue Brook Boating Guide for more information.
What is the speed limit in the Lower Canning river area?
The speed limit for PWC close to shore in the Lower Canning area is 5 knots.
What is the speed limit in the Mandurah Estuary?
The speed limit in the Mandurah Estuary, upstream of the Mandurah Bridge, is 8 knots, however the speed limit drops to 5 knots when entering the canals. The speed limit also reduces to 5 knots downstream of the Mandurah Bridge.
What is the speed limit in Mangles Bay?
The speed limit in the mooring zones of Mangles Bay is 8 knots. The 8-knot limit also exists between the ski take-off zone and the closed waters zone on the foreshore. These areas have yellow in-water navigation markers as indicators. You should always read the information signs at the boat ramps that explain the speed zones and identify the in-water navigation zone markers.
What is the speed limit in Perth waters?
The speed limit in Perth Waters is 8 knots, except for the channel that runs adjacent to Riverside Drive. This area extends from Heirisson Island through to the Narrows Bridge, excluding Elizabeth Quay where the speed changes to 5 knots.
Can I drive my PWC to Rottnest?
The length of a vessel no longer determines how far from the shore it can travel.
It is now the responsibility of the skipper to determine how far from shore it is safe to operate after considering weather conditions, capability of the vessel, including the vessel length, and the experience and ability of the skipper.