Maritime Safety Law Reforms

New laws have been enacted to strengthen the culture of safe boating in NSW.

To help keep pace with increased activity across NSW and encourage safe and responsible behaviour – as laid out in the State Plan – the new laws aim to help reduce levels of irresponsible and anti-social behaviour.

They introduce new penalties, including jail terms of up to 2 years and fines up to $110,000 for dangerous navigation offences. Increased penalties will also apply to operating an overloaded or unsafe vessel, creating excessive wash or endangering public safety.

Safety amendments include:

• New offences with increased penalties for operating a vessel while disqualified;
• New powers for NSW Maritime and Water Police to enforce the law and direct boaters to act safely;
• New powers for NSW Maritime and Water Police to immediately suspend registration when vessels are found operating outside the law (this includes vessels operating at night with insufficient lighting).

NSW Maritime will support the new laws with a renewed emphasis on compliance and education.