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Safety equipment changes now apply
New safety equipment requirements are now in place for recreational vessels in WA.
New requirements were introduced for registered recreational vessels in September 2023. From 30 September 2024 new requirements apply for non-registrable vessels such as sailboards, kiteboards, windsurfers, paddle craft, tenders and sailing dinghies.
Areas for vessel use
Protected waters
Include rivers, lakes, dams, estuaries, harbours and waters within 400 metres from the shore in unprotected waters, but exclude the Cambridge Gulf and Lake Argyle.
Unprotected waters
Beyond 400 metres from the shore.
Registered Vessels including sailing vessels that are or can be propelled by mechanical power.
Vessels smaller than 4.8 metres
The following safety equipment requirements will apply to all vessels smaller than 4.8 metres.
In protected waters
When operating in rivers, lakes, dams, estuaries, harbours and waters within 400 metres from the shore in unprotected waters you must carry a lifejacket (Level 100 or higher) for each person on board.
In unprotected waters
When operating more than 400 metres from shore in unprotected waters:
- A lifejacket (Level 100 or higher) must be worn by everyone on board vessels less than 4.8 metres.
- You must carry a GPS-enabled EPIRB or wear a GPS-enabled PLB. You will have until 1 September 2028 to upgrade to a GPS enabled EPIRB.
- You must carry at least 2 handheld red flares and 2 handheld orange flares. Parachute flares may be used in lieu of the red handheld but only until 1 September 2026.
- Parachute flares may be used in lieu of the red handheld but only until 1 September 2026.
- Electronic Visual Distress Signals (EVDS) may be carried instead of flares only if a GPS-enabled EPIRB is carried or GPS-enabled PLB is worn.
- You must carry a marine radio, when operating beyond 4 nautical miles from shore. 27-MHz radios are being phased out by 1 September 2028 and will no longer be compliant.
Vessels larger than 4.8 metres
In protected waters
When operating in rivers, lakes, dams, estuaries, harbours and waters within 400 metres from the shore you must carry a lifejacket (Level 100 or higher) for each person on board.
In unprotected waters
When operating more than 400 metres from shore in unprotected waters:
- A lifejacket (Level 100 or higher) must be carried for everyone on board.
- 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 will have until 1 September 2028 to upgrade to a GPS enabled EPIRB.
- You must carry at least 2 handheld red flares and 2 handheld orange flares. Parachute flares may be used in lieu of the red handheld but only until 1 September 2026.
- Parachute flares may be used in lieu of the red handheld but only until 1 September 2026.
- Electronic Visual Distress Signals (EVDS) may be carried instead of flares only if a GPS-enabled EPIRB is carried or GPS-enabled PLB is worn.
- You must carry a marine radio, when operating beyond 4 nautical miles from shore. 27-MHz radios are being phased out by 1 September 2028 and will no longer be compliant.
Personal water craft (PWC)
The following safety equipment requirements apply for PWC.
Everyone on board a PWC must wear a lifejacket (minimum level 50S) at all times and in all waters.
In unprotected waters
When operating more than 400 metres from shore in unprotected waters you must also:
- You must carry a GPS-enabled (EPIRB or wear a GPS-enabled PLB). You will have until 1 September 2028 to upgrade to a GPS enabled EPIRB.
- You must carry at least 2 handheld red flares and 2 handheld orange flares. Parachute flares may be used in lieu of the red handheld but only until 1 September 2026.
- Parachute flares may be used in lieu of the red handheld but only until 1 September 2026.
- Electronic Visual Distress Signals (EVDS) may be carried instead of flares only if a GPS-enabled EPIRB is carried or GPS-enabled PLB is worn.
- Carry a marine radio when travelling beyond 4 nautical miles from shore. 27-MHz radios are being phased out by 1 September 2028 and will no longer be compliant.
Vessel length and distance from shore
The length of a vessel will no longer determine how far it can travel from the shore.
Even when carrying the required safety equipment, the skipper is responsible for determining how far from the shore they can operate safely.
Weather conditions, vessel capability and ability of the skipper should be the key considerations, not the length of the vessel.
Fire extinguisher, anchor/line, bilge pump/bailer
Skippers are no longer required to carry a fire extinguisher, anchor, bilge pump or bailer. However, it is recommended that you continue to carry this equipment and assess your individual circumstances in determining which anchor, fire extinguisher or bilge pump/bailer is appropriate for your vessel and operating circumstances.
Marine radio and distress beacon standards
All Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLB) be GPS enabled. You have until 1 September 2028 to upgrade.
You must carry a marine radio when travelling more than 4 nautical miles from shore.
27 MHz radios are being phased out by 1 September 2028 and will no longer be compliant.
We strongly encourage you to update your distress beacons and marine radios as soon as possible to improve your safety on the water.
You must hold a Marine Radio Operator's Certificate of Proficiency to operate a VHF and HF marine radio.
Equipment transition period
You will have until 1 September 2028 to upgrade:
- 27-MHz radio to VHF or HF radio
- Non-GPS EPIRB to a GPS enabled EPIRB.
Flares and EVDS requirements
When operating beyond 400 metres from shore in unprotected waters, you must carry at least 2 handheld red flares and 2 handheld orange flares.
You can carry an EVDS (Electronic Visual Distress Signal) instead of flares if a GPS-enabled EPIRB is carried or GPS-enabled PLB is worn by one person on board.
A registrable vessel is any vessel, including sailing vessels, that are or can be propelled by mechanical power.
- The following EDVS may be carried:
- 547 Orion Electronic SOS Beacon Locator
- ACR ResQFlare LED Electronic Distress Flare
- Lonako (LNK-ERS1) Electronic Rescue Signal Light
- Tektite SOSeFlare 5th Gen
- Sirius Signal C-1003 SOS Distress Light
- Sirius Signal C-1004 SOS Distress Light
Equipment transition period
You will have until 1 September 2026 to upgrade your parachute flares to:
- 2 red and 2 orange handheld flares, or,
- an EVDS, if carrying a GPS EPIRB or PLB.
Non-registrable vessels
Non-registrable vessels include sailboards, kiteboards, windsurfers, paddle craft, tenders and sailing dinghies. These vessels do not need to be registered with DoT.
In protected waters
When operating in rivers, lakes, dams, estuaries, harbours and waters within 400 metres from the shore in the ocean it is recommended you carry a lifejacket (Level 50s or higher) for each person on board.
In unprotected waters
When operating more than 400 metres from shore in the ocean in unprotected waters:
- A lifejacket (Level 50S or higher) must be worn by everyone on board vessels less than 4.8 metres.
- You must carry an EPIRB or wear a PLB. You have until 1 September 2028 to upgrade to a GPS-enabled EPIRB or PLB.
- You must carry at least 2 handheld red flares and 2 handheld orange flares. Parachute flares may be used instead of the red handheld but only until 1 September 2026.
- Electronic Visual Distress Signals (EVDS) may be carried instead of flares only if a GPS-enabled EPIRB is carried or GPS-enabled PLB is worn.
- It is recommended you carry a marine radio, when operating more than 4 nautical miles from shore.
27MHz radios are being phased out by 1 September 2028 and will no longer be compliant.
Frequently asked questions
The following frequently asked questions relate to the safety equipment requirements for registrable vessels, including personal water craft (PWC), and non-registrable vessels including sailboards, kiteboards, windsurfers, paddle craft, tenders and sailing dinghies.
When will the new safety equipment requirements apply?
Laws now apply to vessels including registrable recreational vessels and non-registrable vessels.
Vessel and craft requirements
What is a registrable vessel and a non-registrable vessel?
A registrable vessel is a vessel which is or may be propelled by mechanical power, including those ordinarily propelled by sail only.
All registrable vessels must be registered with DoT if they are in any navigable waters.
Non-registrable vessels include sailboards, kiteboards, windsurfers, paddle craft, some tenders and sailing dinghies.
These vessels are not required to be registered with DoT.
Stand-up paddleboards, non-motorised surfboards and boogie/body boards are not considered to be registrable and are not subject to 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/craft belongs to, email safetyequipmentreview@transport.wa.gov.au
Lifejackets
My vessel is 4.8m exactly, do I have to wear a lifejacket?
The lifejacket wearing rule applies on vessels less than 4.8 metres. For example, if your vessel is 4.79 metres, everyone on board is required to wear a lifejacket when the vessel is operating more than 400 metres in the ocean in unprotected waters.
But if you have children on board, the vessel length doesn’t matter, children aged between one and 12 years must wear a lifejacket when operating more than 400m in unprotected waters.
Is it compulsory for children to wear lifejackets on vessels and craft?
Yes. Children aged one to 12 years on board any vessel are required to wear a lifejacket (minimum Level 100 for registrable vessels and 50S for non-registrable vessels) when the vessel is operating more than 400m from shore in unprotected waters.
Children on board a personal watercraft (PWC) are required to wear a lifejacket (50S minimum) at all times.
I like to sailboard, kiteboard, windsurf, and use paddle craft; do I need to wear a lifejacket?
Yes, paddle craft, sailboards, kiteboards and windsurfers are non-registrable vessels so you will need to wear a lifejacket (Level 50S minimum) when operating more than 400m from shore in unprotected waters.
If I’m surfing a break further than 400m from shore, do I need do wear a lifejacket?
No. You are not required to wear a lifejacket when you are surfing, on a stand-up paddleboard, non-motorised surfboard, or body/boogie board.
I only use my boat on the river, or on lakes and dams for water skiing, Am I affected by the safety equipment changes?
Yes. All registrable recreational vessels are required to carry a lifejacket with a minimum buoyancy of Level 100 for each person on board in all waters.
Does my tender need to carry safety equipment under the new laws?
Yes. Tenders need to carry all equipment applicable to non-registrable vessels.
Did you know you need to register your tender if you use it for any other purpose than lifesaving or going to and from your larger registered vessel, including for fishing?
Once registered, the safety equipment requirements for registrable vessels will apply.
I windsurf in the ocean. Do I need to carry safety equipment on me if I travel further than 400m from shore?
Yes. The safety equipment requirements apply, including that you must wear a Level 50S minimum lifejacket
Is a sea kayak that is 3.7m in length with a battery powered motor (and sometimes without a motor) required to be registered?
Yes. A kayak or any vessel that has a motor fitted or a fitting for a motor must be registered.
Am I permitted to take my personal water craft (PWC) to Rottnest?
Yes. The length of a vessel no longer determines 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?
Yes. 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 is:
- 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 have until 1 September 2028 to upgrade to a GPS enabled EPIRB.
Under the safety equipment requirements do I have to wear my EPIRB?
No. Your EPIRB should be kept in an 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, that is, at least one PLB per boat.
Are PLBs an acceptable alternative to EPIRBs?
Yes. However, the PLB will need to be GPS enabled and must be 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 100 metres of your location compared to 5 kilometres with a non-GPS device.
Flares
Under the new safety equipment requirements do I need to carry flares on my vessel?
Yes. When operating any vessel more than 400 metres 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.
Or, an electronic visual distress signalling (EVDS) device may be carried instead of flares if a GPS-enabled EPIRB is also carried, or a GPS-enabled PLB is worn.
Am I still able to carry the parachute/rocket flares that I have?
Yes, if you have parachute/ rocket flares, you can still carry them and you have until 1 September 2026 to upgrade them.
Which Electronic Visual Distress Signals (EVDS) are approved for recreational vessels?
Skippers operating more than 400 metres from shore in the ocean in unprotected waters 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, six EVDS meet the DoT standard.
Marine radios
At what distance from shore do I need a marine radio on board my vessel?
You will need to carry either a VHF or HF marine radio on a registrable vessel when operating more than 4 nautical miles from shore in unprotected waters. You can still use your 27 MHz radio until 1 September 2028, but then you will need to upgrade to a VHF or HF radio.
27 MHz marine radios do not perform as well as 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 requirements but no longer required by law. Am I still able to carry them?
Yes, we recommend that you carry fire extinguishers, bailers, bilge pumps and anchors.
Why are anchors ‘recommended items’ under the 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 whether 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 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.
