Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) has launched a three-month compliance campaign in the Pumicestone Passage, responding to community concerns about safety and pollution in the popular waterway.
The concerns amplify MSQ’s own data from patrols, which found 40 per cent of vessels intercepted between July 1, 2024, and May 31, 2025, were non-compliant with safety legislation.
The extra patrols have begun from the week commencing Monday, July 14, and will continue through to October 2025.
MSQ patrols will specifically target speeding, lifejacket laws, "hooning" (i.e., reckless manoeuvring) and "distance off" rules between watercraft and shorelines, infrastructure and people in the water.
The patrols are targeting both the northern and southern ends of the passage, particularly on weekends, when recreational boating activity peaks.
Lidar or "speed gun" operations will be undertaken throughout the Pumicestone Passage, and boaters are warned that MSQ has a zero-tolerance approach to not only speeding, but also for "hooning" and other anti-social behaviour on the water, including excess wash.
MSQ is also auditing vessels moored in the passage for compliance with marine pollution and "liveaboard" regulations, and to identify vessels in poor condition that may become derelict and require removal under the Queensland State Government's waterways safety program.
Boaters are meanwhile reminded of the new rules relating to lifejackets, with on-the-spot fines starting at $333 now in place for non-compliance.
The new laws mandate that lifejackets must be worn when: boating alone, (or only with children under 12 years) on an open boat that is less than 4.8 metres in length whilst underway; crossing a designated coastal bar on an open boat, and on an open area of a boat, of any length; boating at night, that is between sunset and sunrise, on an open boat that is less than 4.8 metres in length whilst underway; if under 12 years (aged one year or more but less than 12 years) in an open boat, or open area of a boat, of any length while underway.
MSQ has also advised that wearing a lifejacket is compulsory when crossing a coastal bar on: small sailing boats (such as lasers, herons); pedal boats; rafts, including inflatable rafts; rowboats (excluding Surf Life Saving Australia Club surfboats); and sea and surf kayaks.