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 Mentone Surf Life Saving Club, persons and vessels involved in the Mentone Open Water Swim 2026 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

Waterway Rules made under the Marine Safety Act 2010 / Marine Act 1988

5. Clause 1.2.7 of Schedule 1 – 5-knot speed restriction area within 200 metres of the water’s edge – East Port Phillip – Mentone 

6. Clause 1.2.9(a) of Schedule 1 – area prohibited to vessels at Mentone 

7. Clause 1.2.12(b) 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.

• Masters of rescue and support vessels (including personal watercraft (PWC)) are only exempt from item 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, and must adhere to speed and distance rules at all other times.

• Masters of rescue and PWC support vessels are only exempt from items 6 & 7 for the duration of the event.

• Occupants of powered rescue and support vessels (including PWC) 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 7:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday 14 March 2026 to persons and vessels involved in the Mentone Open Water Marathon within the Set Aside waters adjacent to the Mentone Life Saving Club.

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