The information contained in this publication is provided in good faith and believed to be accurate at time of publication. The State shall in no way be liable for any loss sustained or incurred by anyone relying on the information.

WA boating rulesFor safety reasons, rules and regulations apply within WA waters. Before you go boating, make sure you are familiar with the rules and regulations for the area you’re navigating.

Recreational Skipper’s TicketThe person in charge of a recreational vessel with a motor of 6hp (4.5 kilowatts) or less is not required to hold a Recreational Skipper’s Ticket (RST).

A person in charge of a recreational vessel with a motor greater than 6hp (4.5 kilowatts) is required to hold an RST.

You are required to carry your RST card when boating.

Age restrictions

A person under 10 years may not drive a motor boat.

RST holders over 14 but under 16 years of age are restricted to operating during daylight hours at a speed less than 8 knots

Aids to navigationIt is illegal to interfere with, remove or damage any beacon, buoy or other artificial aid to navigation or to secure any vessel to any beacon, buoy, seamark or other aid to navigation, without permission in writing from Department of Transport (DoT).

Obstruction of navigation channels

Drop nets, fishing nets, marker buoys or other buoyed objects cannot be placed or allowed to remain in any channel or fairway in any port or harbour, or in any channel, fairway or passage in any navigable waters without the permission of DoT.

Also, you can’t anchor or moor a vessel in any channel or fairway, unless the vessel is in distress.

Logging on and offSkippers are advised to log on and off with their nearest marine rescue group every time they go out in their boat. The idea being that you log on and let them know who you are, where you are going, when you will arrive back and a log off on your return.

Vessels less than 3.75 metresVessels less than 3.75 metres in length can’t be taken greater than 5 nautical miles from the mainland shore.

However, you can operate the vessel within 1 nautical mile of an island located more than 5 nautical miles from the mainland shore.

Personal water craftTo operate a personal water craft (PWC) at a speed greater than 8 knots you must be at least 16 years of age and hold an RST.

Every person on board a PWC must wear a lifejacket at all times and at times carry safety equipment:

• Vessel under 3.75m must not navigate more than 5 nautical mile from the mainland shore or 1 nautical mile from an island more than 5 nautical mile from shore

• Within 400 metres of the Island – lifejacket Level 150, 100 or 50/50s

• Between 400m and 1 n mile from an island - lifejacket Level 100 or 150 only and an in date inshore distress flare kit and emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).

Freestyling and wake jumping is prohibited:

• within any speed restricted area;

• within 30 metres of another PWC;

• within 50 metres of another vessel or person in the water.

Vessel registrationMost boats or yachts must be registered with DoT and an annual registration fee is payable.

Vessels that must be registered

If your boat has a motor, or is fitted for one, it must be registered and is subject to an annual registration fee. Yachts, canoes, surf skis and other craft not fitted for a motor are not required to be registered.

Transfer of ownership

You must advise DoT on the sale (within 7 days) or the acquisition (within 15 days) of any power driven vessel.

Tender vessels

A tender to a larger vessel is exempt from registration provided it meets the following requirements:

• it is no more than 3.1 metres long and has a motor no bigger than 5hp (3.73kW);

• is used only as a lifeboat and for ship to shore transport, and for no other purpose;

• must carry the correct safety equipment for the area of operation.

Diving flag

Any boat with divers operating from it must always display signals by day or night to alert other boat users. The daytime signal for divers is an International Code Flag “A”. The flag must be at least 750 millimetres long and 600 millimetres wide.

Divers operating without a vessel, for example from a jetty, must also display the International Code Flag “A”. The flag must be at least 750 millimetres long and 600 millimetres wide.

Divers not operating from a vessel or jetty can display the flag from a buoy. If displayed from a buoy, the flag must not be less than 300 millimetres long and 200 millimetres wide.

The flag must be clearly visible to all vessels operating in the vicinity.

Vessels to keep clear

When approaching a place or another vessel displaying International Code Flag “A” or, during the hours of darkness you must:

(a) keep your vessel at least 50 metres clear; or

(b) where it is not possible to keep 50 metres clear —

(i) proceed at the slowest speed at which his vessel can be safely navigated; and

(ii) maintain a proper lookout for people in the water, whilst passing within 50 metres of the place or vessel displaying the flag or the appropriate signal.

LeadsLeads are a pair of marks that when aligned form a transit. They are often used for the approaches to anchorages (there are many at Rottnest Island) instead of Lateral Marks. You steer to keep the rear lead directly above the front lead.

Lights

If lit, they may use any colour. The chart will have the details.

International Code Flag “A”

Arcof Visibility

HorseShoe

ReefsDu

f f i el d

Ri d

ge

Mabel

Cove

MaryCove

Little Salmon Bay

FishH

ookBay

PatersonBea ch

Ricey Beach

SerpentineLake

Raven (1891)

Denton H

olmes (1890)

Macedon (1883)

Janet (1887)

Shark (1939)M

iwok (1983)

Gem

(1876)

Kiryo Maru (1984)

Mira Flores (1886)

City of York (1899)

Uribes (1942)

Disused Subm

arine Cable (position approx.)

Marine Reserve

Marine Reserve

Red

Arcof

Visibility

VisibilityArc

of

Arc

of

Visibility

Fl G 3s 4m

6M

Recom

mended track

Q 5m

4M

Q 3m

3M

F R 8m

5MF R

8m 5M

Phillip Rock

Twin R

ocks

Wallace Island

Joan Rock

Henrietta R

ocks

BIC

KLEY PO

INT

Conical H

illC

athedral Rocks

White H

ill

Bare Hill

Hut

Mushroom

Rock

Ram

p

Aerodrome

Lookout Hill

Oliver H

ill

Forbes Hill

Wadjem

up Hill

Kingston Spit

Crayfish R

ock

Lookout

Radar H

ill

Radar R

eef

Water Tank

PORPO

ISEBAY

THO

MSO

N

BAY

PHILLIP PO

INT

Bickley

Bay

SALMO

NBAY

STRICK

LAND

BAY

RockyBay

StarkBay

MarjorieBay

EagleBay

Wilson Bay

Governm

ent

HouseLake

Mount H

erschelLake

Baghdad

PinkLake

LakeVincent

I N D

I A N

O C

E A N

BayC

ity of York

Pilot Reef

ISLAND

RO

TTNEST

West

Patch

Celia

Rocks

Lake Negri

CausewayH

erschel Lake

Peacock Flats

Munt C

amp

Lighthouse Swam

p

Salmon Sw

amp

Barker Swam

p

Padbury Flat

Parker Rock

Jubilee Rocks

Swirl R

eef

West End

Stark Pinnacle

S o u t h

P a s s a g e

Dyer Island

Kin

gs

ton

Re

efs

CA

PE VLAM

ING

H

SOU

TH PO

INT

One Post H

ill

FAIR

BR

IDG

E BLU

FF

SALM

ON

POIN

T

PAR

KER

POIN

T

BA

THU

RST PO

INT

CH

AR

LOTTE PO

INT

Fl R 3s 6M

Fl R 3s 2M

F Bu

Q 1sFl R

Fl R

2F Bu

Fl G

Fl G

R

Fl Y 5sY

YFl Y 5s

5 knots

5 knots

Kingston ReefSanctuary Zone

Armstrong Bay

Sanctuary Zone

WAR

NIN

GD

uring moderate sw

ellseas m

ay break overdepths of about 6m

.

WAR

NIN

GD

uring moderate sw

ellseas m

ay break overdepths of about 6m

.

WAR

NIN

GD

uring moderate sw

ellseas m

ay break overdepths of about 6m

.

LighthouseFl(4) 16s 30m

14M

Rottnest Lighthouse

Fl 7.5s 80m 26M

CAU

TION

Breaking Swells

CAU

TION

Breaking Swells

CAU

TION

Breaking Swells

Intermittent

dangerousbreaks

CAU

TION

Breaking Swells

Marine Reserve

Marine

Reserve

Green

Island

Duck

Rock

JacksonR

ock

Middle Bank

(Breaks occasionally)

CAU

TION

Breaking Swells

AB

RA

HA

MPO

INT

HA

YWA

RD

CA

PE

KIN

GH

EAD

KITSO

NPO

INT

NO

RTH

POIN

T

LadyElizabeth (1878)

Roe R

eef(breaks occasionally)

North Point R

eef(breaks occasionally)

Green IslandSanctuary Zone

LongreachBay

GeordieBay

PearseLakes

BickleySw

amp

Watson

Glade

TreeH

ill

Parker PointSanctuary Zone

JeanniesLookout

Vlam

inghLanding

Vera Rocks

Q 1s

Fl R

PTC

LUN

E

AR

MSTR

ON

G PO

INT

Catherine

Bay

F Bu

F Bu

00·8°

300·4°

West End Dem

ersalSanctuary Zone

Water

Tank

253·3°

357·3°

130·6°

240·5°

267·0°

76·1°

Wind

Generator

DIG

BY

DIGBY

DRIVE

DR

IVE

BOVELL

BOVELL

WAY

WAY

DEFENCE

ROAD

ROAD

ROAD

PARKER

PARKER

POINT

POINT

5 knots

5 knots

Na

r r ow

ne

ck

Com

munications

Mast (43)

2F Bu

CAU

TION

UnexplodedO

rdnance

202·8°

LEG

EN

D

Settlement

WAR

NIN

GD

uring moderate sw

ellseas m

ay break overdepths of about 6m

.

5 Kn Speed Lim

it

8 Kn Special Speed Lim

it

Closed W

aters - Motorised Vessels

Swim

ming Prohibited

Marine Sanctuary

400m From

Shore

Marine R

eserve

Boat R

amp, Public Toilet

Watering Point

Fl R

Fl G

Fl(2) 5s 27m 8M

Q(6)LFl

1NM

1NM

from

fromshore

shore

shore

from

1NM

400m

from

shore

fromshore

400m

400m

from

shore

See Rocky B

ay Inset

See Stark Bay to Parker Point Inset

See Green Island Inset

0

Kilometres

Nautical M

iles

0.1

00.5

0.1

52.0

0.5

Rock, R

ock awash

Vessel OvertakingAnother

Every overtaking vesselgives way (this includes

sailing vessels)

Each vessel alterscourse to starboard

Power Vessels M

eeting Head On

Vessel having theother to starboard gives right of way

Power Vessels M

eeting

Power gives way to sailexcept when sailing vessel is overtaking

Power Meeting

Sailing Vessel Ships in Channels

Basic rules o

f the waterw

ays

All vessels must keep clear of

ships using or approaching the m

arked navigation channel ships.

Card

inal Marks

Keep NORTH of

uninterrupted quick �ashesKeep EAST of3 �ashes in a group

Keep SOUTH of

6 �ashes + 1 long �ash in a group

Keep WEST of

9 �ashes in a group

DANGER AREA

Lateral Marks

Indicate the port and starboard sides of a navigable channel.

Port Marks

Light: Red, any rhythm.

Starboard Marks

Light: Green, any rhythm.

Stay on the starboard side of the channel.

Isloated Danger M

arksindicate a sm

all area of danger.

Special Marks

indicate a special area such as aquaculture or feature such as traffic separation schem

e.

LIGHT: White light, group of 2 flashes.

TAK

E C

AR

E

BE

PR

OP

AW

AR

E

CC

TV used

on WA

Waterw

ays

Department of Transport

November 2020

Boating Guide Rottnest Island Marine Safety

Contact details

Department of Transport

Email: marine.safety@transport.wa.gov.auWebsite: www.transport.wa.gov.au/imarineMarine Safety Hotline: 13 11 56

Rottnest Island AuthorityEnquiries: 9432 9300Email: enquiries@rottnestisland.comWebsite: www.ria.wa.gov.au

Boating Weather ForecastBoating Weather: 1300 815 916Website: www.bom.gov.au/marine

PoliceWater Police: 9442 8600Emergency: 000

Marine Rescue ServicesEmergency contact: VHF 16 and 27Mhz 88Fremantle (VN6DI)Cockburn (VH6CL)Whitfords (VJ6LQ)

Department of Primary Industry and Regional DevelopmentWebsite: www.dpird.wa.gov.au

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and AttractionsWebsite: www.dbca.wa.gov.au

The information contained in this publication is provided in good faith and believed to be accurate at time of publication. The State shall in no way be liable for any loss sustained or incurred by anyone relying on the information.

Join us at facebook.com/MarineSafetyWA

For further information go to www.transport.wa.gov.au/boatingguides or scan the QR Code

Protected Waterslakes, rivers,

inlets and estuaries except

Lake Argyle.

0-2 Nautical

Miles from the mainland

shore.

2-5 Nautical

Miles from the mainland

shore.

Over 5 Nautical

Miles from the mainland

shore.

Recreational Skipper’s TicketThe skipper of a recreational vessel, powered by a motor greater than 6hp must hold an RST.

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓Bilge Pump/BailerAll vessels must carry a bilge pump. Vessels under 7 metres may carry a bailer in lieu of a bilge pump.

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓Fire ExtinguisherVessels with an inboard engine or carrying hydrocarbon heating or cooling appliances must carry an approved fire extinguisher.

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Anchor and LineAn efficient anchor and line must be carried. R ✓ ✓ ✓LifejacketA lifejacket bearing the label Level 100 (or higher) with the Australian Standard AS 1512, AS 4758 or ISO 12402 must be carried for every person onboard.

R ✓ ✓ ✓Red and Orange Flares (in date)At least two hand held red flares and two hand held orange flares must be carried. Two parachute flares may be carried in lieu of the two hand held red flares and a smoke canister may be carried in lieu of the smoke flares.

R ✓ ✓ ✓

EPIRB (in date)A 406 MHz EPIRB registered with AMSA bearing the standard AS/NZS 4280.1 must be carried if proceeding more than 2 miles from the mainland shore or more than 400 metres from an island located more than 2 miles from the mainland shore.

R R ✓ ✓

Parachute Flares (in date)A minimum of two parachute flares must be carried if operating more than 5 miles from the mainland shore or more than 1 mile from an island located more than 5 miles from the mainland shore.

R R R ✓Marine RadioA marine radio must be carried if operating more than 5 miles from the mainland shore or more than 1 mile from an island located more than 5 miles from the mainland shore. The radio can be 27 MHz, VHF or HF.

R R R ✓RSE-0318

Required SafetyEquipmentR = Recommended

✓ = Required

Paterson Beach

Catherine

Beac

h

Recommendedtrack

Hansen

Passage

Reco

mm

ende

d

track

Lady Edeline

Beach

Lady Elizabeth (1878)

Raven (1891)

Miwok (1983)

Janet (1887)

Macedon (1883)

Denton Holme (1890)

Gem (1876)

Shark (1939)

Disused Submarine Cable (position approx.)

Sew

er

City of York(1899)

Uribes(1942)

DEFENCE

ROAD

ROAD

POINT

PARKER

PARKER

POINT

ROAD

DRIVE

DIGBY

DIGBY

DRIVE

KINGSW

AY

BOVELL

BOVELL WAY

WAY

GEO

RDIE

BAY

ROAD

dniWrotareneG

)6881( serolF ariM

lliH etihW

lriwSfeeR

ykcoR

eirojraMBay

Bay

Reef

Investigator

N a r r o w n e c k

HorseShoe

Reefs

CAUTIONBreaking Swells

Crayfish Rock

5 knots

5 knots

Reserve

Marine

htimS dnaloRMonument

M o o r i n g

A r e a

M o o r i n g A r e a

M o o r i n g A r e a

yaB kratS

aileCskcoR

BOVELL

WAY

DIGBY DRIVE

MAHARBATNIOP

202·

8°

dnalsI neerG

evoCycnaN

CAUTIONBreaking Swells

357·3°

tnuMpmaC

DRIVE

DIGBY

Green IslandSanctuary

Zone

Ch

ale

t s

C h a l e t s

Cha l et s

Transit

Rocks

Sticks Passa ge

Little Parakeet Bay

Little Armstrong Bay

Little Geordie

Bay

Pocillo

pora

Inner Kingston Reef

Ricey

Beac

h

5 knots

CAUTIONBreaking Swells

PARKERPOINT

LighthouseFl(4) 16s 30m 14M

Arcof

VisibilityArc

of

Visibility

Closed WatersMotorised Vessels

5 knots

5 knots

5 knots5 knots

5 knots

WatsonGlade

ArmstrongRock

City ofYork

StarkPinnacle

CommunicationMast (43)

Oval

BikeHire

Fays Bay

TheBasin

See

Roc

ky B

ay In

set

Marine

Marine

Reserve

Reserve

Kingston ReefSanctuary Zone

Armstrong BaySanctuary Zone

Oliver Hill

KingstownBarracks

Arc

of

Visi

bilit

y

300·4°

00·8

°

267·0°

253·3°

240·5°

130·6°

M o o r i n g A r e a

Longreach Bay

Golf Club

PearseLakes

LakeVincent

Lake Sirius

Lake Negri

PinkLake

BulldozerSwamp

Serp

entin

e

Lake

Tree Hill

Bare Hill

Lookout

Hotel

Cemetery

Camping Area

Police Station

School

Water Tank

Mushroom Rock

Army Jetty

PHILLIP POINTNatural Jetty

Wadjemup Hill

Parakeet Island

Twin Rocks

Joan Rock

Jubilee Rocks

Henrietta Rocks

Phillip Rock

Golf Course

BICKLEY POINT

BATHURST POINT

PORPOISE

BAY

GeordieBay

ParakeetBay

CatherineBay

Bay

Bickley

Bay

LakeT H O M S O N

B A Y

Lake

Baghdad

M o o r i n gA r e a

A r e a

A n c h o r a g e

Aerodrome

Vera Rocks

Store

Water Tank

Crayfish Rock

Dyer Island

Garden

Hut

K i n g s t o n

R e e f s

Mount Herschel

POINT SHELTER

View Hill

Jimmy Woods Terminal

Padbury FlatStark Jetty

C h a l e t s

C h a l e t s

Hut

Medical Centre

Reef

Signal Hill

Hotel Jetty

Hut

Lookout Hill

Government

House

Lake

LakeHerschel

Causeway

ParakeetSwamp

BarkerSwamp

BickleySwamp

CAUTIONBreaking Swells

CAUTIONBreaking Swells

CAUTIONBreaking Swells

POINTCLUNE

NORTHPOINT

ARMSTRONGPOINT

CHARLOTTEPOINT

LONGREACHPOINT

JeanniesLookout

MondayRock

DuckRock

WallaceIsland

VlaminghLanding

CAUTIONBreaking Swells

Main Wharf

A r e aM o o r i n g

A r e a

M o o r i n g

A r e a

M o o r i n g

Q 5m 4M

Aero RC 317 kHz

F R 8m 5M

Fl G 3s 4m 6M

Q 3m 3M

F R 8m 5M Fl R 3s 2M

Fl R 3s 2MFl R 3s 2M

Fl R 3s 2M

Fl G 3s 2M

Q(9) 15s 2M

Fl G 3s 2M

Q(6) 15s 2M

Fl R 3s 6M

Q(6) 15s 2M

Q 1s 2M

Q 1s 2M

Fl R 3s 2M Fl R 3s 2MFl G 3s 2M

Fl G 3s 2M

Fl G 3s Fl R 3s

Fl R 3s

Fl R 3s 2MFl R 3s

Fl R 3s

Fl R 3sFl G 3s

Fl G 3sFl G 3s

F Bu 4M

F Bu 4M

F Bu 4M

F Bu 4M

F Bu 4M

F Bu 4M

G

R

Fl(2) 8s 2M

F Bu

Rottnest LighthouseFl 7.5s 80m 26M (conspic)

Closed WatersMotorised Vessels

Settlement

Guns Lookout

Peacock Flats

Forbes Hill

LakeTiperley

Hut

VlaminghLookout

CommunicationsTower

Armstrong Hill

Parker Point Sanctuary Zone

Closed WatersMotorised Vessels

Closed WatersMotorised Vessels

Closed WatersMotorised Vessels

Closed WatersMotorised Vessels

SwimmingProhibited

8 knot >24m

StarkPinnacle

Fl R 3s

Q(6)+LFl 15s

Fl G 3s

from

1NM

from

shore

shor

e

1NM

from

from

shore

400m

shore

400m

400m

shore

from

STARK BAY to PARKER POINT INSET

ROCKY BAY INSET GREEN ISLAND INSET

LEGEND

5 Kn Speed Limit

8 Kn for vessels over 24m only

Closed Waters - Motorised Vessels

Swimming Prohibited

Marine Sanctuary

400m From Shore

Marine Reserve

Boat Ramp, Public Toilet

Watering Point

Rock, Rock awash

kram noitagivan til setacidni

htroN

htuoS

tsaE

setacidnI retaw efastsaE eht ot

tseW

setacidnI retaw efastseW eht ot

setacidnI retaw efashtroN eht ot

setacidnI retaw efashtuoS eht ot

F

lF

) (lF

Q

lFL

cO

osI

dexiF =

gnihsalF =

hsalf-puorG =

hsalf-kciuQ =

hsalf-gnoL =

gnitluccO =

esahposI =

neerG =

wolleY =

deR =

eulB =

G

Y

R

uB

s

m

M

sdnoces ni doireP =

WHHM evoba thgieh enalp lacoF =

selim lacituan ni egnar suonimuL =

detats esiwrehto sselnu etihw si thgil fo ruoloC

thgil ronim ,rojam ,esuohthgiL

draobrats ,trop ,nocaeB

regnad detalosi ,retaw efaS

draobrats ,trop ,youb rapS

draobrats ,trop ,youb ralliP

youb gnithcay ,youb gnirooM

raer ,tnorf ,daeL

Navigation Marks

Light Characteristics

Cardinal Marks

Navigation lights

All vessels under way during the hours of sunset to sunrise must display navigation lights appropriate to the particular size and type of vessel. For further information please visit our website.

Kiteboards and windsurfing

Kiteboards and windsurfers operating more than 400 metres from shore are now required to carry safety equipment.

To get a sticker and learn about the rules visit our website or call 13 11 56.

Paddle craft

Recreational canoes, kayaks, surf skis, inflatables or similar paddle craft that are propelled by a person using a paddle must comply with WA marine laws.

To get a brochure and sticker about the rules call 13 11 56 or visit our website.

TAKE CARE BE PROP AWARE

CCTV used on WA Waterways