Victoria adds more time to motorised kayak, canoe trial

The temporary Transport Safety Victoria exemption allows kayaks or canoes to be fitted with small electric motors, with paddlers exempt from holding a marine licence or having to register their craft. The trial period was due to close at the end of last year.

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"The trial has been extended, following consultation with stakeholders and enforcement partners, to allow a longer period of time to collect various types of feedback to adequately inform a decision on adopting the exemption ongoing," Maritime Safety Victoria director Rachel Gualano said.

"Maritime Safety Victoria (MSV) encourages retailers, kayakers, and other waterway users to share their thoughts or experience around the use of motorised kayaks in their region."

According to MSV, the exemption applies to the owners and masters of kayaks and canoes powered by an electric motor of no more than 40 pounds’ thrust (one horsepower or 750 watts).

"In all other respects these vessels are regulated as powerboats,” it said. “The exemption is subject to the condition that the vessel travels at a speed of no more than five knots at any time. There are also conditions relating to the carriage of safety equipment.”

That includes paddlers using inland waters carrying either a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch or a personal locator beacon. The vessel must also carry a waterproof, floating torch.

On enclosed or coastal waters, paddlers must have at least one way of signalling for help (a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch, an EPIRB, a personal locator beacon, a marine radio or flares) as well as a waterproof torch. Venture more than two nautical miles offshore, and the list grows to include handheld orange smoke signals and red flares.

Paddlers also must wear lifejackets, and have a bailer or bilge pump. The electric motor fitted to the kayak or canoe cannot affect watertightness or the way it handles in rough conditions.

The trial was introduced in January 2018 in response to a recommendation from the Red Tape Commissioner to bring Victorian licensing and registration requirements closer to New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania – states where low-powered watercraft use is much less regulated.

“The benefits of motor use are that kayakers and other paddlers can conserve energy and have some assistance in getting home after their trip,” Marine Safety Victoria said when the trial was announced.

For more information, visit Motorised kayak exemption trial extended.