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With the thrills come the dangers.
Follow the guidelines listed and ensure your experiences with
PWCs are safe and enjoyable for yourself as well as others.
Remember, PWCs are considered power boats
in law, and the relevant rules apply to their use.
Keep your distance – collisions between PWCs at speed
are very dangerous.
Unless fitted with the required navigation lights (refer
Safety - Lights for Small Boats) PWC’s must not be used
between sunset and sunrise.
Wear a Life Jacket
It is essential to wear a lifejacket.
Obey Speed Limits
Keep to 5 knots (9.25 kph) or less within:
200m of the shore;
200m of a vessel flying a diving flag;
50m of another person in the water;
50m of another vessel, including other PWCs.
Know the Age Limit
As a PWC is a power boat, you must be 15 years or older to
operate one.
Noise Annoys
Keep away from residences or areas where people will be annoyed
by the noise.
Don't Drink and Drive
Alcohol and PWCs don't mix.
Know how to Swim
Be a survival swimmer.
Turn Safely
Apply throttle to turn. When you throttle off completely,
you lose steering control.
Education is the Key
Get more out of your PWC - take a Coastguard Boating Education
course
Check local by laws
Check with your Regional Council regarding by laws which
may restrict areas for PWC's or reserve special places for
their use. Some Councils require PWC's to be registered.
Watch out for Swimmers!
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