This article is about several issues that I’m sure we all have given little or no thought to – paperwork and compliance of government regulations regarding the placement of the hulls registration stickers, placement of the hull and trailer registration labels, the placement of the new powered vessels Capacity label, Jet Ski ride smart label, size of the hulls registration stickers etc.

This topic came to light late last year and I think it is worth discussing to ensure fellow boaters stay informed of current legislation etc. JCM was in the middle of doing an on water demonstration in the Brisbane River, when we were approached by the Brisbane Water Police. The officer on board the police vessel asked the usual questions regarding safety gear. (We are always very careful to ensure adequate gear is on board even though we are in a river!)  The next question just stumped us – we were asked if our hull registration stickers were legal, naturally we looked over the side of the boat saw that they were there in full. To our amazement the officer pulled out a tape measure, maneuvered his small police boat next to the rego numbers on our boat and proceeded to measure them.

We were politely informed that the rego numbers on the boat were in fact 50mm short of the Queensland’s Maritime Safety Laws. The boat we were demonstrating was second hand and the registration stickers were put on by the dealer who sold this boat new! The stickers were an elaborate style and cut to suit the style and original graphics on the hull. As illustrated in one of the photos, although these stickers look great they are in fact non – compliant and if caught with them by a Police officer who is checking these to the “letter” pardon the pun, in Qld you will be fined $150.00 on the spot! 

Although the boat had legible numbers they did not comply. Due to our circumstances we were told to go back to shore and if the boat is seen again a fine will be issued on the spot. Naturally upon returning to the boat yard we went and measured approximately 45 boats registration stickers. Surprisingly a third of the second hand boats on the yard do not comply with the guidelines! I think it would be safe to assume that if a third of the stock does not conform, then a third of the boats out on the water also don’t conform!

Then what do the Guideline’s state in regards to the boat/hull registration stickers? With a bit of research the information is clearly outlined in the Guide to Recreational Boating and Fishing (Issue 3 printed Oct 2005) regulations and state that “boats capable of planing must have registration lettering a minimum of 200mm high. The characters must be plain characters in a contrasting colour to the hull of the boat”









Boats that are “displacement and non planing, must have registration lettering a minimum of 75mm high. The characters must also be plain characters in a contrasting colour to the hull.  There are some exemptions and concessions in some cases and if you are unsure I would advise you to contact your local Waterways authority for clarification.

The Guide to Recreational Boating and Fishing also states that tenders that are used from larger mother boats are exempt from registration if they are used within 2 nautical miles of the mother boat. The tender must be marked with the word “Tender” as well as the mother boat’s registration numbers. Again the characters must be a minimum of 75mm high.

Jet Skis also have there own guidelines. All Personal Water Craft (PWC) must be registered. Registration characters must be displayed on both sides, port and starboard, be at least a minimum of 100mm high and also be in a contrasting colour to the hull. Jet Ski registration stickers used to be 75mm high in Queensland but since January 2006 stickers are now to be 100mm high. A fine of $150.00 will be enforced if you are caught with the wrong size lettering.

It is worth getting your tape measure and measuring the vertical size of your lettering. If it does not conform I would advise contacting your local boat names or sticker/sign writer and organizing the correct size. Nothing ends a day on the water worse than fine from the boys in blue!

Another safety initiative from Maritime Safety in Queensland is the new Capacity Labels. These labels are used to safely determine your boats safe carrying capacity i.e. how much weight can be placed in your boat while on the water. One of the reasons that this policy was created is that many boats currently out on the water do not have a manufacturer’s carrying capacity plate or something fixed on them to indicate the hulls carrying capacity. Hence the owner of that vessel doesn’t really know what the true carrying capacity is.

The Capacity Label is a yellow sticker approx 12cm by 10cm. There are three labels available to suit different boats. Power boats under 6 meters, power boats 6m and over and powered boats with a flybridge.




The correct label for your vessel type must be applied within 1 meter of the steering control. If the boat has two steering controls e.g. a fly bridge boat then two labels will be applied near both steering controls.  I have illustrated a sticker that has been applied in the correct position on a 4.75m runabout.. By using the capacity table, this boat is rated to 5 adults or 450Kg of weight. These recommendations are for smooth waters only. A reduction in numbers or weight must be made in adverse weather conditions or when the boat is used in partially smooth or open waters. The onus of safety will always rest with the operator/skipper.




Therefore this system was created to ensure the safety of passengers and skipper from overloading. Overloading is probably one of the easiest ways to capsize or get swamped in a boat. This can happen when the free board (distance from the boats gun whale to the water) is reduced to a point where the stern wave can come over the back of the boat, or a beam on wave can un settle the rig and either come over the side or with a shift in the weight distribution can lead to capsizing.


Penalties will be applied to any skipper found in breach by not having a Capacity Label adhered to there vessel in Queensland. Labels are available from Queensland Transport Customer Services Centres, reputable marine dealers or can be ordered from the Maritime Safety Queensland website at no cost.

If you are an owner of a PWC or Jet Ski remember that as of January 2006 in Queensland new changes apply to the use of these fun machines. In summary these include increased distance off requirement, now require a PWC license, as discussed earlier registration lettering needs to be 100mm high and new marine zones. For more information on these change s contact Marine safety Queensland as they can post out to you detailed information on the new enforcements.

PWC and Jet Skis also require by law a Ride Smart sticker. This sticker must be affixed to the PWC or Jet Ski and must be visible to the operator at all times. The illustrated photo shows the correct placement of this sticker. If the Ride Smart sticker is not clearly displayed you will be fined on the spot $150.00 Again these can be ordered through Maritime safety or collected form your local PWC or Jet Ski dealer.



Still on the subject of stickers, how many of us know exactly where the annual registration label is to be affixed to the hull or the trailer? The registration label for the hull is to be placed on the port side of the vessel close to the registration characters. I have illustrated this in one of the pictures. The authorities need to have the label near the registration characters as to identify whether the boat is registered whilst they are using binoculars or driving past. It helps make there job easier. If you place your registration label in a hard to see spot, don’t be annoyed when the authorities come over and interrupt your peace and quiet or fine you!





The trailer registration label is also to be affixed on the port side of the trailer either on the winch post or on the main trailer frame forward of the leading axle. Again I have illustrated the correct position of the label. The labels now have your trailers registration number in bold. It now takes up to a third of the sticker. I think the authorities have finally caught on to the old trick of registering one trailer but having two registration labels – one on your box trailer and one on your boat trailer as to save on one registration. We often get trailers here that the owner says “oh, I use this registration label and number plate on my camper trailer as well!”  If you have been doing this over the years it may be time to change and do the right thing!





Be aware also of placing your trailer registration label in the little plastic folders that you can buy from your local Auto shop. They are $2 for a reason! The plastic is very poor quality and they usually become very brittle and translucent. Again this scenario may leave you a little red faced when the authorities ask where your trailer rego label is and you go to point where it used to be, only to find that the plastic has deteriorated and has blown off when towing or just simply fallen off!



All in all these simple checks will ensure you and your rig are compliant on the waterways and the roads. And may also help you avoid a possible fine by not infringing the local laws and regulations that seem to govern our life! If you have any questions pertaining to your rig don’t hesitate to contact your local Marine Queensland member or your local transport office.

Until next month, safe boating!

Matthew Hodson