Public Notices

Parks Victoria as the declared waterway manager for Parks Victoria, makes the following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic).

For the purposes of boating activity conducted by South Melbourne Life Saving Club, persons and vessels involved in the Port to Park Open Water Swim are exempt from the following requirements:

1. Clause 2(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a person in the water

2. Clause 2(c) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of another vessel

3. Clause 4(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 200 metres of the water’s edge

4. Clause 4(b) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a wharf, jetty, slipway, diving platform or boat ramp

5. Clause 1.1.7 (a)&(b) of Schedule 1 – 5 knot speed restriction within 200 metres of the water’s edge – Northeast Port Phillip

6. Clause 1.1.9 (b) of Schedule 1 – Areas prohibited to vessels at South Melbourne Beach

Subject to the conditions detailed below:

• Masters of rescue vessels are only exempt from item 1 to 5 when undertaking a rescue operation to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial medical or other needs and deliver them to a place of safety on shore and item 6 for the duration of the event. 

• Occupants of rescue vessels involved with the event must wear a lifejacket at all times during the event and vessels must have all prescribed safety equipment.

• The exemptions apply from 7:30am to 1:30pm on Saturday 7 February 2026 to persons and vessels involved in the Port to Park Open Water Swim, in the Set Aside waters adjacent to Port Melbourne beach

• The exemptions apply provided the stated safety controls and undertakings detailed in the application form and associated documentation are adhered to.