Marine infringements and recreational boat inspectors

You must follow the directions of Northern Territory Police and boating inspectors. They can inspect your boat and safety equipment at any time.

You must not obstruct a boating inspector from carrying out their duty.

Check the minimum safety equipment PDF (1.0 MB) you must carry for your boat.

If you don't comply with the minimum safety requirements, you can be issued a marine infringement notice.

If you fail to follow the instructions of a boating inspector or police, you may be charged with an offence. You can be penalised up to 50 penalty units - read below to find out more about units and penalties.

About boat inspectors

Boating inspectors must be declared by an official notice made by the relevant minister.

Boating inspectors are issued with an identity card that has:

a photo of the inspector
the inspector's signature
the signature of the transport department director
conditions.

Inspectors must carry their identity card with them at all times while performing their role.

A police officer can perform the same functions as a boat inspector.

Marine infringement notices and penalties

The penalty for a marine infringement notice is measured in penalty units.

For the current value of a penalty unit, go to the Department of the Attorney-General and Justice website.

Offence	Penalty for individual	Penalty for body corporate
Breach of minimum safety equipment requirements - inland waters	2
Breach of minimum safety equipment requirements - intermediate waters	2
Breach of minimum safety equipment requirements - open waters	2
Breach of seaworthiness requirements	2
Breach of safety equipment requirements for a tender	2
Person being towed behind a pleasure craft not wearing a personal flotation device	2
Pleasure craft operator allows a person being towed behind a pleasure craft to not wear a personal flotation device	2
Person is towed behind a pleasure craft without an observer	2
Towing a person behind a pleasure craft without an observer	2
Owner permitting vessel to be towing a person behind a pleasure craft without an observer	2	10
Operating a personal water craft without an automatic cut out	2
Automatic cut out is not securely attached to the person	2
Owner allowing personal water craft to be used without an automatic cut out	2	10
Operating a personal water craft without wearing a personal flotation device	2
A passenger on a personal water craft over the age of 16 who is not wearing a personal flotation device	2
Personal water craft operator carrying a passenger under 16 who is not wearing a personal flotation device	2
Person operating a sailing vessel under 5m in length or with permanently closed hulls not wearing a personal flotation device	2
A passenger or a crew member on a sailing vessel under 5m in length or with permanently closed hulls over the age of 16 who is not wearing a personal flotation device	2
Operator of a sailing vessel under 5m in length or with permanently closed hulls carrying a passenger or a crew member under 16 who is not wearing a personal flotation device	2
Reckless navigation or careless use of a vessel	2
Diver operating from a vessel without a rigid replica International Code Flag A	2
Diver operating from a vessel without an observer	2
Observer not keeping proper watch	2
Diver not operating from a vessel, without towing a float with a rigid replica International Code Flag A	2
Anchoring in a specified prohibited place	2
Anchoring in a position that obstructs the passage of other vessels	2
Exceeding 5 knots in a restricted area	2

Read more about penalties in the Marine Act 1981.

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