Safety equipment changes now apply

These future changes will apply to paddle craft, kiteboards and sailboards and other non-registrable craft.

Non-registerable vessels smaller than 4.8 metres

The following safety equipment requirements will apply to all non-registrable vessels  smaller than 4.8 metres.

In protected waters

When operating in rivers, lakes, estuaries, harbours and waters within 400 metres from the shore in unprotected waters there are no requirements to carry or wear safety equipment.

In unprotected waters

• When operating more than 400 metres from shore in unprotected waters: 
• A lifejacket (minimum level 50S) must be worn by everyone on board a vessel smaller than 4.8 metres.
• You must carry a GPS-enabled Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or wear a GPS-enabled Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
• Carry at least 2 handheld red flares and 2 handheld orange flares.  An Electronic Visual Distress Signal (EVDS) may be carried instead of flares if a GPS-enabled EPIRB is carried or a GPS-enabled PLB is worn.

Non-registerable vessels 4.8 metres and larger

The following safety equipment requirements will apply to all non-registrable vessels 4.8 metres and larger

In protected waters

When operating in rivers, lakes, estuaries, harbours and waters within 400 metres from the shore there are no requirements to carry or wear safety equipment.

In unprotected waters

When operating more than 400 metres from shore in unprotected waters: 

• A lifejacket (Level 50S or higher) must be carried for everyone on board a vessel 4.8 metres and larger.
• Children aged one to 12 years on board must wear a lifejacket (Level 100 or higher).
• You must carry a GPS-enabled EPIRB or wear a GPS-enabled PLB.
• You must carry at least 2 handheld red flares and 2 handheld orange flares. An EVDS may be carried instead of flares if a GPS-enabled EPIRB is carried or GPS-enabled PLB is worn.

The following frequently asked questions relate to the safety equipment requirements for recreational vessels including PWCs and paddle craft, sailboards, tenders, sailing dinghies and other non-registrable craft.

When will the new safety equipment requirements apply?

New laws now apply to vessels including registered recreational vessels, personal water craft (PWC), non-registrable yachts/sailing vessels and tenders.

Further reforms boosting safety equipment requirements for windsurfers, kiteboards and some paddle craft will follow.

Lifejackets

My vessel is 4.8m exactly, will the lifejacket wearing rules apply to me?

No. Vessels 4.8 metres and larger are only required to carry a lifejacket for everyone on board when operating beyond 400 metres in unprotected waters.

The lifejacket wearing rule only applies on vessels less than 4.8 metres. For example, if your vessel is 4.79 metres, everyone on board will be required to wear a lifejacket when the vessel is operating beyond 400 metres in unprotected waters.

But if you have children on board, the vessel length doesn’t matter.

All children aged between one and 12 years must wear a lifejacket when on board any vessel operating beyond 400m in unprotected waters.

Will it be compulsory for children to wear a lifejacket on vessels and craft?

Children aged one to 12 years on board any vessel will be required to wear a lifejacket (minimum level 100) when the vessel is operating in unprotected waters.

Children on board a personal water craft (PWC) will be required to wear a lifejacket (50S minimum) at all times.

I like to kiteboard, windsurf, and ride on my paddle craft; will I need to wear a lifejacket?

Yes, paddle craft, kiteboards and windsurfers are non-registerable vessels so you will need to wear a lifejacket (50S) minimum when operating beyond 400m of shore. These rules will come into play when the next stage of reforms is implemented.

If I’m surfing a break further than 400m from shore, will I be breaking the law if I don’t wear a lifejacket?

You are not required to wear a lifejacket while operating stand-up paddleboards, non-motorised surfboards, or body/boogie boards.

Vessel and craft requirements

What is a registrable vessel and a non-registrable vessel?

A registrable vessel is:

• any vessel that is or may be propelled by mechanical power, including vessels ordinarily propelled by sail only, and
• used wholly for recreational use or sporting activities and not for hire or reward.

All registrable vessels must be registered with DoT if they are in or are used in any navigable waters.

Non-registrable vessels include sailboards, kiteboards, non-motorised paddle craft, tenders and sailing dinghies. These vessels are not required to be registered with DoT.

Stand-up paddleboards, non-motorised surfboards and boogie boards are not considered to be registrable or non-registrable vessels and are not subject to any safety equipment requirements. However, you’re encouraged to consider your safety and appropriate equipment for the conditions.

If you are unsure which category your vessel belongs to, email safetyequipmentreview@transport.wa.gov.au

I only use my boat on the river, or on lakes for water skiing. Will I be affected by the safety equipment changes?

Yes. All recreational vessels are now required to carry a lifejacket with a minimum buoyancy of level 100 for each person on board in all waters.  

During consultation, the community strongly supported increasing lifejacket carriage requirements.

Will my tender need to carry safety equipment under the new laws?

Yes, tenders now need to carry all equipment applicable to non-registrable vessels.

Did you know you need to register your tender if you use if for any other purpose than lifesaving or for transport to and from your larger registered vessel – such as for fishing?

Once registered, the safety equipment requirements for registerable vessels will apply.

I windsurf in the ocean. Will I need to carry safety equipment on me if I travel further than 400m from shore?

Yes. The non-registrable safety equipment requirements will apply. Until the future Stage Two reforms are introduced, existing safety equipment requirements continue to apply.

Is a sea kayak that is 3.7m in length with a battery powered motor (and sometimes without a motor) required to be registered?

A kayak or any vessel that has a motor fitted or a fitting for a motor must be registered. 

Will I be permitted to take my personal water craft (PWC) to Rottnest?

Yes. The length of a vessel will no longer determine how far it can travel from the shore. 

However, the length of your vessel should not be the only consideration when determining how far you can safely operate from shore. 

Consider the weather conditions, vessel capability and safety equipment requirements when deciding how far to travel from the shore.

Am I required to carry the same safety equipment on my PWC as other registrable vessels?

A PWC is a registrable vessel so you must carry the applicable safety equipment. 

However, unlike other registrable vessels, everyone on board a PWC must wear a lifejacket (minimum level 50S) at all times.

Distress beacons 

Under the new safety equipment requirements, EPIRBs must be GPS enabled.

 How do I tell if I need to upgrade my existing EPIRB?

A GPS enabled EPIRB will be:

• labelled to indicate if it has GPS capability by the initials GPS or the letter G, or
• have an identification number or hex ID that includes the term ‘3 echo’.  

All Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) on the market are GPS enabled.

You will have until 1 September 2028 to upgrade to a GPS enabled EPIRB.

Under the new safety equipment requirements do I have to wear my EPIRB?

No. EPIRBs should be kept in an easily accessible location on your vessel. However, you can choose to wear a GPS enabled PLB instead of carrying an EPIRB. The PLB must be worn by at least one person on board the vessel.

Can PLBs be an acceptable alternative to EPIRBs?

Yes, however the PLB will need to be GPS enabled and worn by at least one person on board the vessel.

What is the benefit of a GPS enabled distress beacon compared with a non-GPS enabled distress beacon?

A GPS enabled distress beacon (EPIRB and PLB) will direct emergency services to within 120m of your location compared to 5 kilometres with a non-GPS device.

Where can I dispose of my old EPIRBs and PLBs?

Old and unwanted EPIRBs and PLBs can be:

• Handed in for safe disposal at Marine Operations, 14 Capo D'Orlando Drive, Fremantle or any DoT regional office.
• Left in marked bins at Battery World stores around Australia (disposal fees may apply.)
• Disarmed by following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Flares

Under the new safety equipment requirements do I need to carry flares on my vessel?

Yes. When operating any vessel more than 400m from the shore in unprotected waters, you will need to carry:

• 2 in date handheld orange smoke flares, and
• 2 in date red handheld flares.

An electronic visual distress signalling device (EVDS) may be carried instead of flares if a GPS enabled EPIRB is also carried, or a PLB is worn.

Currently, only 2 EVDS meet DoT’s requirements:

• 547 Orion Electronic SOS Beacon Locator
• ACR Electronics ResQFlare

Under the new safety requirements, will I be able to use the parachute/rocket flares that I have?

Yes, if you have parachute/rocket flares, you will be able to use them until 3 years from the date the new laws commence.

How do I dispose of old flares?

You can dispose of old flares at Marine Operations, 14 Capo D'Orlando Drive, Fremantle or any DoT regional office and Household Hazardous Waste program centres. Find a list of disposal sites on our flares page.

Which Electronic Visual Distress Signals (EVDS) are approved for recreational vessels?

Skippers operating beyond 400 metres from shore in unprotected waters will also have the option to carry an EVDS instead of flares, as long as they also carry a GPS enabled EPIRB or wear a GPS enabled PLB. Currently, only 2 EVDS meet the DOT and Title 46 standard with current United States Coast Guard approvals.

• 547 Orion Electronic SOS Beacon Locator
• ACR Electronics ResQFlare

Further information relating to Title 46 standards may be found at Code of Federal Regulations.

Do you know if EVDS will also be approved for domestic commercial vessels?

The new safety equipment requirements only apply to recreational vessels and craft in WA. 

For more information about safety equipment for commercial vessels please contact the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

Marine radios

At what distance from shore will I need a marine radio on board my vessel?

You will need to carry either a HF or VHF marine radio on any registrable vessel when operating more than 4 nautical miles from shore in unprotected waters.

Can I still use my 27MHz radio?

27 MHz marine radios will be phased out over a 5-year period from the date the new laws commence. 

27 MHz marine radios do not perform as well as modern VHF marine radios and the monitored coverage by search and rescue organisations is significantly less than that of the VHF spectrum.  

We encourage you to update your radio as soon as possible to ensure your safety on the water.
 

Recommended safety equipment  

Fire extinguishers, bailers, bilge pumps and anchors are recommended under the new requirements but no longer required by law. Am I still able to carry them?

Yes, you can still choose to carry fire extinguishers, bailers, bilge pumps and anchors.

Why are anchors ‘recommended items’ under the new safety equipment requirements?

The effectiveness of an anchor depends on the vessel type, anchor type, seabed, depth of water and sea conditions. 

For some types of vessels, carrying and using an anchor is not practical, even during an emergency. For other vessels, anchors are used as part of normal operations and will be carried regardless of if they are required to or not.

It is up to you to determine if you need to carry an anchor and line. Find out more about choosing an anchor on our anchors page.

Why are bilge pumps or bailers ‘recommended items’ under the new safety requirements?

The type and capacity of the bilge pump or bailer required depends on the type, buoyancy, and size of your vessel.

For example, some vessels have self-draining decks or are constructed to have positive buoyancy even if they are filled with water. Other vessels have compartments where water is difficult to detect without an alarm and cannot be cleared using a bailer.  

It is up to you to determine if you need to carry a bailer or bilge pump. Find out more on our bailer or bilge pump page.

Why are fire extinguishers ‘recommended items’ under the new safety requirements?

The fire risk on board a vessel depends on the type, size, and construction material of the vessel.

The type of fire extinguisher required will also vary depending on the source of the fire and capability of the person responding to the fire.  

It is up to you to determine if you should carry a fire extinguisher. Find out more on our fire extinguishers page.