Riding a Jet Ski With Passengers or Towing a Tube

Riding a Jet Ski With Passengers or Towing a Tube

Queensland PWC towing has specific requirements: the operator must be licensed and an observer over 13 who is competent to watch the skier must be on board. Supervised unlicensed PWC operation has separate passenger and lanyard conditions. Read MSQ's exact wording before carrying people or towing. See official guidance. For the next course decision, review the relevant licence pathway.

Details to check

For towing a skier, MSQ says the operator must be licensed and an observer on board must be more than 13 years old and competent to watch the skier at all times. That exact requirement is narrower than a generic 'take a passenger' rule. Check MSQ's PWC guidance for the current official text and any further conditions. Official reference: Personal watercraft safety and rules (MSQ).

Supervised unlicensed operation has its own limits. MSQ says an unlicensed driver operating under supervision is not allowed to carry passengers other than the supervising licence holder, and the supervisor must wear the kill-switch safety lanyard while the PWC is being driven. Do not apply an exception outside its wording, and do not confuse it with a licensed towing operation. Official reference: Personal watercraft safety and rules (MSQ).

Plan the activity around capacity, operator licensing, the observer's role, safety equipment and local waterway restrictions. BOATN's guide is informational and not a substitute for checking current laws or conditions. For a learner, ask a trainer how the PWCL course addresses safe decisions and assessment. Read the jetski licence pathway, PWC speed rules, and ask a provider through the directory. Official reference: Personal watercraft safety and rules (MSQ).

A practical decision for your situation

Before towing, assign roles aloud: licensed operator at the controls and a competent observer over 13 watching the skier. For supervised unlicensed riding, check the separate passenger restriction and lanyard condition. These are not interchangeable setups; confirm the exact MSQ wording for the activity you plan. Official reference: Personal watercraft safety and rules (MSQ).

Before a tow, confirm the observer can continuously watch the skier and meets the stated age and competency conditions. For supervised riding, check that the supervisor—not the unlicensed rider—wears the lanyard and that passenger limits are observed. Recheck the MSQ page if the activity changes. Official reference: Personal watercraft safety and rules (MSQ).

Before the outing, confirm the craft's seating capacity and the people assigned to each role. The observer must be able to watch the skier; a passenger restriction in supervised unlicensed operation is a different rule. If the activity changes, reassess the setup. Official reference: Personal watercraft safety and rules (MSQ).

Frequently asked questions