Environmental Protection and Rider Etiquette
Protecting the waterway
PWC riders share the water with wildlife, other users and the shoreline. Keep a respectful distance from wildlife, especially nesting birds, dolphins and turtles, and never chase or herd animals. Avoid shallow areas where the jet intake can stir up sediment and damage seagrass. Keep wash low near shorelines, as wash erodes banks and disturbs nesting areas. Do not litter, and take your rubbish with you.
Etiquette with other users
Give swimmers, kayakers, anglers and moored vessels plenty of room. Do not ride repeatedly close to other people or their property. Avoid excessive noise, especially near residences and early or late in the day. Follow local notices and respect closures.
Traps
Questions often suggest a PWC can go anywhere because it draws little water. Shallow water and seagrass are vulnerable. Another trap is treating wildlife approach rules as optional; they are not. Do not assume wash has no environmental effect.
Worked example
A rider spots dolphins near the shore. The correct response is to slow down, keep a respectful distance and not approach or follow them, because disturbing wildlife is both harmful and contrary to expectations for responsible operation.