Under-16s banned from driving Jet Skis

Maritime Safety at Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) has banned persons aged under-16 from obtaining a personal watercraft (PWC), also known as a jet ski, endorsement on their restricted marine licence.

Peter Corcoran, Director of TSV, claimed PWCs have the potential to injure or kill when operated by young and inexperienced people. Police warned of a PWC blitz in Victorian waters earlier this year.

“PWCs weigh more than 300kg, quickly reach speeds of 100kph and require strength and skill to control. They have the potential to injure or kill, particularly when operated by young and inexperienced people.”

The provisions relating to PWC endorsements in the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic) have now been amended by the Ports and Marine Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (Vic).

“To improve safety, the Victorian Government has amended laws so that no new PWC endorsements will be issued to people under 16. The change will not impact on people who already hold an endorsement,” Mr Corcoran said.

Mr Corcoran said several PWC incidents in recent years have led to serious injuries to the operators or others and that TSV wants to reduce those numbers.

“Persons under-16 are not responsible for all incidents involving PWCs, but they’re often the ones lacking the strength or maturity of judgement to handle these high-speed vessels safely,” Mr Corcoran stated.

Under-16s and other unlicensed people can still learn to ride a PWC under supervision, that is, with a person on board who is over 18, with a PWC-endorsed marine licence, and who is able to take immediate control.

Meantime, Maritime Safety Victoria (MSV) and Victoria Water Police officers will be on the water this summer focussing on unsafe PWC riding.

Reckless operators who ignore the rules put themselves and others at risk, TSV says, and those doing the wrong thing are likely to receive a fine and could have their vessel embargoed.

More about PWC safety in Victoria.