Keeping a safe distance on NSW waterways

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Safe distance

All vessels must keep a safe distance from people, other vessels, structures and the shore. A safe distance gives you enough space to avoid a collision, injury to people, or damage to things.

As the skipper, you must constantly judge your distance from other vessels and people around you. When judging, you must always consider the circumstances and conditions – for example, the weather, visibility, other vessels, your speed and any obstructions.

Minimum distances

You must always keep a safe distance. In certain situations, there are also specific minimum distances you must keep from people, other vessels, structures and the shore.

The only exceptions to keeping these minimum distances are when you're:

supporting swimmers or divers in the water
launching or removing your vessel from the water
in a paddlecraft or rowing vessel – for example, a canoe, kayak, surf ski or rowing boat
in a sailing vessel up to 5.5m long without an engine (including a sailboard or kiteboard)
participating in Surf Life Saving NSW or lifeguard activities.

When you're in one of these vessels or situations, or if it's not possible to keep the minimum distance, you must always keep a safe distance and travel at a safe speed.

From people

Powered vessels – including sailing boats over 5.5m long and personal watercraft (PWC) – must keep a minimum distance of 60m from:

people in the water, including swimming and surfing areas
the boundaries of designated swimming areas and surf zones (marked by signs)
a dive flag or float.

Take extra care when you're within 200m of divers and spearfishers – they can be up to 100m from their float or flag.

Illustration of diving and boating area. — *Divers can be up to 100m from their float or flag*

Illustration of safe distance from shore — *A swimming area extends 60m from the shore between signs for swimmers*

Illustration of safe distance from beach — *A designated swimming area in a surf zone extends 500m from the shore between surf patrol flags or signs*

From other vessels, structures and the shore

Powered vessels – including PWC – travelling at a speed of 6 knots or more must keep a minimum distance of 30m from:

other vessels – including when these vessels are moored or at anchor
structures – including jetties, bridges and navigation markers
the shore.

Safe distance between vessels — *Powered vessels must maintain a distance of 30m*

When you're driving a PWC, you must not drive in an irregular manner when:

you're within 200m of shore within a PWC restriction Zone, or
you're within 200m of shore in all waterways, when one or more dwellings are visible from the water and located within 200m of shore.

Driving in an irregular manner includes:

driving in a circle or other pattern
weaving or diverting
surfing down or jumping over or across a swell, wave or wash.

irregular riding sign for watercraft — 'Attention' sign

From naval vessels

All vessels must keep a minimum distance from the 'moving exclusion zones' around naval vessels. When a naval vessel is underway, you must keep a minimum distance of:

200m from the bow
60m from the side.

When a naval vessel is at anchor, the minimum distance is 60m.

When towing

There are minimum distances you must keep when towing. These minimum distances apply to your vessel, your towing equipment and the person being towed – see Towing a person.

From whales and dolphins

You must also keep minimum distances from whales, dolphins and other marine life.