Changes at Rottnest to improve safety

Increasingly busy waters at Rottnest have seen a range of measures introduced to improve safety.

Department of Transport (DoT) Marine Operations Director Ray Buchholz said new speed restricted areas of five knots and eight knots had been introduced at Thompson Bay and revised motorised vessel exclusion zones were in place at several popular bays.

Mr Buchholz said hundreds of recreational vessels navigate the waters around the island every day and together with passenger ferry movements the waters were increasingly congested.

"Introduction of the safety measures follow a formal Aquatic Use Review by DoT and extensive consultation with the Rottnest Island Authority and Department of Fisheries," Mr Buchholz said.

At Thompson Bay a combined five and eight knot speed restriction area has been established, extending from the approaches and around the busy loading jetties. This area restricts vessels less than 24 metres to five knots while vessels above 24 metres are permitted to navigate at eight knots as larger vessels require more speed to navigate safely during inclement weather.

In addition, the boundary of the existing five knot mooring and anchoring areas to the north and south of the jetties has been altered to control vessel speed within the bay.

Revised closed-water areas will provide motorised vessel exclusion zones at Thompson Bay, Geordie Bay, Little Parakeet Bay, The Basin and Longreach Bay.

Mr Buchholz said the exclusion zones prohibit motorised vessels from operating in the area and provide increased safety at the popular swimming locations.

Restricted speed signage and navigation markers will be introduced to assist skippers.

Further information about the changes is available by contacting DoT Navigational Safety on 9431 1011.

Find out more about boating at Rottnest at http://www.rottnestisland.com/boating-information

For information about safe boating visit http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/marine