Electric hydrofoil
Find out about safety requirements for using an electric hydrofoil surfboard.
Electric hydrofoils are considered vessels in Western Australia and are required to:
- be registered
- comply with speed limits and collision rules.
You must have a Recreational Skipper's Ticket to operate an electric hydrofoil if the output is greater than 6 horsepower.
Rules of use
When using an electric hydrofoil you must:
- only operate between the hours of sunrise and sunset;
- display registration numbers that are:
- on the left and right sides of the hydrofoil
- in a plain block design (not slanting or script)
- at least 50 mm in height and 12 mm in width.
If the background of each registration digit is not white, there must be a white border of a width of at least 7 mm must surround each digit.
Safety equipment requirements
When using an electric hydrofoil you must comply with the following safety equipment requirements.
Between 400 metres and 2 nautical miles from shore
When operating outside protected waters and between 400 metres and 2 nautical miles from the mainland shore, you must wear a lifejacket (minimum level 50) and carry at least:
- 2 red hand-held flares or 2 parachute distress rockets
- 2 hand held orange smoke signals or 1 orange smoke canister
OR
More than 2 nautical miles from shore
When operating more than 2 nautical miles from the mainland, or more than 400 metres from an island situated more than 2 nautical miles from the mainland, you must:
- wear a lifejacket (minimum level 50)
- carry an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).
These safety equipment requirement for electric hydrofoils differ from other vessels as an exemption has been granted.
Before you go
Before you leave home:
- Check the latest weather update and tide information.
- Check all your safety equipment is in date and in working order.
- Tell someone where you are going and when you intend to return.
Download the Deckee app for safety, weather and location-based information to help you stay safe on the water.