Public Notices

Parks Victoria as the declared waterway manager for the Yarra River upstream of the port waters of the Port of Melbourne, makes the following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic).

For the purposes of boating activity conducted by Paddle Victoria, persons and vessels involved in the 2026 PV Marathon Yarra Bender Race 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 3(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of the water’s edge

4. Clause 3(b) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a fixed or floating structure

5. Clause 3.1 of Schedule 3 – 5 knot speed restriction on the Yarra River

6. Regulation 61(5) – requirement to carry listed safety equipment (a bailer) on human powered vessel on inland waters

Subject to the conditions detailed below:

• Masters of rescue 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

• Competitors are only exempt from items 2 to 5 when competing in the events, and item 2 applies only when within 50 metres of another competitor or competing vessel

• Masters of competing vessels are exempt from item 6 for the duration of the event

• All participants involved with the event must wear a lifejacket at all times during the event and vessels must have all prescribed safety equipment

• The exemptions apply from 7am to 2:00pm on Sunday 17 May 2026 on the Yarra River, between the Fairfield Boathouse and Bellbird Picnic Area, Yarra Bend Park

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