Public Notices

Parks Victoria as the declared waterway manager for the Local Port of Port Phillip, makes the following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic).

For the purposes of boating activity conducted by Lifeline Australia, persons and vessels involved in the Paddle Across the Bay 2025 are exempt from the following requirements:

1. Clause 2(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a person in the water

2. Clause 2(c) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of another vessel

3. Clause 4(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 200 metres of the water’s edge

4. Clause 4(b) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a wharf, jetty, slipway, diving platform or boat ramp

5. Clause 1.1.7 (d) to (h) of Schedule 1 – 5 knot speed restriction area within 200 metres of the water’s edge - North East Port Phillip

6. Clauses 1.1.9 (e) to (i) of Schedule 1 – areas prohibited to vessels within North East Port Phillip between Elwood and Half Moon Bay

7. Clause 1.1.12(a) of Schedule 1 – the master of a personal watercraft must not operate the personal watercraft for any purpose other than transiting in the safest most direct course to, or from the shore and/or boat ramp or berthing facility (including a jetty, pier or mooring), whilst operating within designated 5 knot speed restriction zone

8. Regulation 61(4) – requirement to carry a lifejacket on vessel on enclosed waters for each person onboard (i.e. stand-up paddleboard (SUP) - 1 lifejacket for each person on board if more than 400 metres from the shore)

9. Regulation 66(2) – person must wear a compulsory lifejacket (of type specified) at all times when vessel is underway on enclosed waters (i.e., SUP - Lifejacket Level 100 plus, level 50 or level 50S or Type 1, 2 or 3 if more than 400 metres from the shore)

Subject to the conditions detailed below:

• Masters of rescue vessels (including personal watercraft (PWC) rescue and support vessels) are only exempt from items 1 to 5 when undertaking a rescue operation to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial medical or other needs and deliver them to a place of safety on shore at that location, and must adhere to speed and distance rules at all other times and items 6 & 7 (irregular riding rule) for the duration of the event at that location.

• Occupants of powered rescue vessels (including PWC rescue and support vessels) involved with the event must wear a lifejacket (unless vessel over 4.8m and not operating at heightened risk) at all times during the event and vessels must have all prescribed safety equipment.

• All SUP participants and SUP marshals are only exempt from items 8 & 9 when participating in the event, provided they wear a leg leash at all times during the event.

• The exemptions apply from 7:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday 1 March 2025 (back-up date Sunday 2 March 2025) to the persons and vessels involved in Paddle Across the Bay 2025 within the event waters - from Green Point to Elwood Beach (contingency event waters – from Green Point to Half Moon Bay).

• The exemptions apply provided the stated safety controls and undertakings detailed in the application form and associated documentation provided as part of the application are adhered to.