Public Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

DECLARATION OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXEMPTION

Parks Victoria as the declared waterway manager for Maribyrnong River upstream of Shepherd Bridge on Footscray Road, makes the following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic).

For the purposes of boating activity conducted by Footscray Canoe Club, persons and vessels involved in the Salty TK and Rec Challenge 2026 are exempt from the following requirements:

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

2. Clause 3(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of the water’s edge

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

4. Clause 4.1 of Schedule 4 – 5 knot speed restriction on the Maribyrnong River

Marine Safety Regulations 2023

5. Regulation 61(5) – requirement to carry specified equipment on vessel on inland waters (bucket with lanyard, waterproof buoyant torch)

Subject to the conditions detailed below:

• Masters of vessels providing rescue services must ensure they comply with the gazetted waterway rules and Marine Safety Act 2010 in respect to minimum speed and distance requirements, unless otherwise 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

• Masters of competing vessels are only exempt from items 1 to 5 when competing in the events, and item 1 applies only when within 50 metres of another competing vessel

• All occupants of vessels involved with the event must wear a lifejacket at all times during the event and rescue/support vessels must have all prescribed safety equipment

• The exemptions apply from 7.00am to 3.00pm on Sunday 8 November 2026 within the competition area on the Maribyrnong River between Pipemakers Park Footbridge and Kensington Railway Bridge

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