Public Notices
Parks Victoria publishes public notices where relevant, including information regarding leases and boating and waterway activity exemptions.
BAE Victorian Drag Boat Series 2026-27
Event name:
Victorian Drag Boat Series 2026-27
Date/time of event:
21st November 2027 - 16th May 2026
Location:
National Water Sports Centre
Details:
PUBLIC NOTICE
DECLARATION OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXEMPTION
Parks Victoria as the declared waterway manager for Patterson River, upstream of the Nepean Highway Bridge to Eumemmering Creek (including the National Water Sports Centre), makes the following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic).
For the purposes of boating activity conducted by Victorian Drag Boat Club Inc, persons and vessels involved in the Victorian Drag Boat Series 2026-27 are exempt from the following requirements:
State Rules made under the Marine Act 1988
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
Marine Safety Regulations 2023
5. Regulations 61(5) & 62(1) – Master requirement to carry listed safety equipment on vessels on inland waters (bucket with lanyard, waterproof buoyant torch and paddle) and carry suitable portable fire extinguisher(s) onboard.
Modification
6. For the purpose of boating activities conducted by Victorian Drag Boat Club (VDBC) involving enclosed cockpit and capsule vessel drivers, a lifejacket of a type described in Parts 2 to 5 of “Schedule 1 - Types of Lifejackets”, of the Marine Safety Regulations 2023 is modified to include a lifejacket is deemed a Level 100 plus, Level 50 or Level 50S lifejacket if competitor complies with rule 9.8 of the current VDBC Official Racing Rule Book.
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 rescue and support vessels are exempt from items 1 to 4 to enable course set-up, course testing, course pack-up, event operations, mock rescue exercises, and response activities associated with the safe and efficient conduct of the event.
· Masters of competing vessels are only exempt from items 2 to 5 when competing in the events, and item 2 applies only if within 50 metres of another competitor or competing vessel.
· Masters of competing enclosed cockpit and capsule vessels must wear suitable buoyancy and personal safety equipment that complies with item 6 modification and rule 9.8 of the current VDBC Official Racing Rule Book.
· All persons on other vessels, including course and rescue vessels involved with the event, must always wear a lifejacket (excluding rescue divers) and all course and rescue vessels must have all prescribed safety equipment.
· In the event of any incident that results in hospitalisation or fatality involving a person or vessel directly or indirectly involved in the event, these must be immediately reported to Victoria Police and Safe Transport Victoria. In the case of all other incidents, Safe Transport Victoria requires notification within seven days and a finalised incident report within 30 days.
· The exemptions apply provided the stated safety controls and undertakings detailed in the application form, and associated documentation are adhered to.
Table 1: VDBC Racing Series 2026-27, National Water Sports Centre.
Bump In Date | Bump In Time | Event Date | Event Time |
21 November 2026 | 12:00pm to 5:00pm | 22 November 2026 | 6:00am to 8:00pm |
6 February 2027 | 7 February 2027 | ||
12 March 2027 | 13 & 14 March 2027 | ||
10 April 2027 | 11 April 2027 | ||
15 May 2027 | 16 May 2027 |
*Drag boats are not permitted to start engines until 10:00am on Event days.
By order of Parks Victoria
Dated: 04/11/26