Media centre

• Download Boating Vic to get your boat back in action

  7 October 2020

  You can also vote for where you want to see new boat ramp cameras.

• Exemption for low-powered kayaks and canoes now permanent

  1 July 2020

  Paddlers of certain low-powered kayaks and canoes are now permanently exempt from licensing and registration rules in Victoria, following a trial exemption that ran from 1 January 2018 to 30 June 2020.

• Smart cameras for safer boating

  28 May 2020

  More boaters will be able to check conditions at their local ramp from the comfort of home as Maritime Safety Victoria launches new cameras across Victoria.

• Bendigo bus operator fleet grounded

  21 January 2020

  A Bendigo bus operator has had their accreditation suspended by Bus Safety Victoria (BSV) after all its buses were declared unsafe.

• Bus regulator and Chinese consulate join forces for safety

  15 January 2020

  Bus Safety Victoria  is working with the Chinese consulate (Melbourne) to reduce the risk that Chinese tourists will be involved in bus accidents.

• Yarra River rules consultation suspended

  20 November 2019

  Following feedback, Maritime Safety Victoria (MSV) has suspended consultation on a proposal to change the rules on the Yarra River upstream of Port waters of the Port of Melbourne.

• New rule for personal watercraft on Port Phillip Bay

  15 November 2019

  Maritime Safety Victoria (MSV) will shortly introduce a new waterway rule restricting ‘irregular’ riding of personal watercraft (PWC) in Port Phillip Bay 5-knot speed restricted zones to reduce safety risks for other waterway users.

• Regulator suspends accredited Bendigo bus operator

  26 September 2019

  A Bendigo bus operator has had its accreditation suspended by Bus Safety Victoria (BSV) because of concerns about poor condition of buses and the potential for risk to passengers.

• Will your boat float?

  10 September 2019

  Whether buying a second-hand boat or preparing to dust off your old vessel for summer, Maritime Safety Victoria (MSV) says all boats should be properly checked before heading out on the water.

• Consultation: New rule for jet ski riders on the bay

  5 August 2019

  Maritime Safety Victoria (MSV) is inviting feedback on a proposed rule change for the use of personal watercraft (PWC), such as jet skis, on Port Phillip Bay.

• Prepare to survive: Know the five

  10 December 2018

  Maritime Safety Victoria (MSV) has launched a new boating safety campaign - 'Prepare to survive: Know the five'.

• Bus safety blitz – Multiple infringements

  20 November 2018

  Bus Safety Victoria spent a busy weekend working with Victoria Police Heavy Vehicle Unit, targeting buses being used to bring tourists to the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, and the Dunkeld Races.

• NSW rules rule the mighty Murray

  2 November 2018

  NSW and Victoria maritime authorities are joining forces this weekend on the Murray River to remind boaters that NSW boat rules apply along the full length of the river.

• New emergency radio service improving boater safety

  23 October 2018

  Marine Radio Victoria assisted dozens of stricken boaters and paddlers during its first year of operation, and is ready for another busy season.

• Regulator prosecutes bus operator after fatal crash on Great Ocean Road

  24 August 2018

  Bus Safety Victoria (BSV), a branch of regulator Transport Safety Victoria, has prosecuted a bus operator after one of his vehicles was involved in a fatal crash on the Great Ocean Road.

• Regulator puts jet ski hoons under intense scrutiny

  1 May 2018

  Maritime Safety Victoria is putting jet ski hoons under intense scrutiny, after little sign of improvement in behaviour as the peak season comes to an end.

• Dee Decker loses accreditation

  26 April 2018

  Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) has suspended the accreditation of Dee Decker Tours.

• Ride Right: Jet ski safety campaign

  19 April 2018

  Maritime Safety Victoria is helping personal watercraft (PWC) riders play by the rules.

• Boaters need to expect the unexpected: Lifejacket and EPIRB campaign

  8 February 2018

  Many boaters believe they are experienced enough to handle any situation on the water, and that people who get into strife are foolish or inexperienced. However, accidents can happen to anyone.

• Trial exemption - Requirements for kayaks and canoes with electric motors

  29 December 2017

  Victorian paddlers who want to fit a small electric motor to their kayaks or canoes will not be required to register their craft or hold a marine licence, as part of a trial exemption in 2018.

• Changes to laws about children operating personal watercraft

  21 December 2017

  Persons aged under 16 are no longer able to obtain a personal watercraft (PWC), also known as a jet ski, endorsement on their restricted marine licence.

• Data shows travel can be a real pain

  18 December 2017

  A decade of Victorian emergency room data shows that older women are having serious falls on public transport, whereas those most likely to get badly hurt when boating are young men.

• Don’t go chasing waterfalls

  6 December 2017

  Boaters and paddlers are warned to stay out of waterways that flooded over the weekend, because of the danger of debris, submerged hazards and changed water levels.

• Montague St bridge crash: Bus operator charged

  4 October 2017

  A bus operator is facing charges after 12 people were injured when a bus collided with Montague St bridge in South Melbourne.

• New emergency radio service

  15 September 2017

  Marine safety in Victorian coastal waters has received a major boost with the launch of Marine Radio Victoria, the new marine distress and emergency monitoring service.

• The end of an era: 130 years of vessel surveys

  8 August 2017

  On 30 June 2017, MSV staff conducted their final domestic commercial vessel (DCV) survey.

• Transport regulator thanks its partners

  12 July 2017

  Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) has reached out to its partners in boating and bus safety compliance to thank them for their continued efforts and joint operations.

• Director Bus Safety departs TSV

  30 June 2017

  After seven years of administering bus safety in Victoria, Stephen Turner, Director Bus Safety at Transport Safety Victoria, is calling time.

• Safety education push after PWC blitz

  17 May 2017

  Personal watercraft (PWC) riders can threaten the safety of other waterway users when trying to impress onlookers, according to Transport Safety Victoria (TSV), following a blitz on rogue riders.

• Buses rev up for Safety Week

  1 May 2017

  With more buses on the road than ever before, Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) and Bus Association Victoria (BusVic) are reminding the community that bus safety is a shared responsibility.