The role of skipper is such a significant role in the safety and success of swimmers, which means skipper education and awareness is paramount. We highly recommend skippers attend the safety briefing, and this year we’ll require skippers to register themselves and their vessel as well as complete a pre-event questionnaire. The aim of this questionnaire is to ensure skippers are educated and equipped to carry out their role on event day.
Main Roles of the Skipper
- To set the course, allowing the paddler and swimmer to follow them; and
- To be responsible for safety of swimmer/s and support crew.
Skipper Registration
All skippers in the 2025 South32 Rottnest Channel Swim will need to register themselves and their vessel. This has been introduced to ensure accuracy in skipper and vessel details to assist with fleet management on event day. Skippers will need to register themselves by 5.00pm Monday, 13 January 2025. It is the responsibility of the soloist or team captain to ensure the skipper is registered and ready to go.
Skippers’ Questionnaire
All skippers in the South32 Rottnest Channel Swim will need to complete a skipper’s questionnaire by Wednesday 19 February 2025.
Anyone who does not complete the Skippers Questionnaire by this time will not be permitted to skipper for the 2025 South32 Rottnest Channel Swim.
Skippers’ Checklist
Skippers have a key role on event day and need to ensure that they are prepared. The RCSA has put together an example Skipper Checklist to ensure that you have everything you need for the big day.
Skipper Training Videos
If you’re a first-time skipper or just want to brush up on your Rotto Swim knowledge, our skipper training videos are the great way to go. To watch our Skipper Training Video series, click the button below!
Please note – A Marine Radio Licence is no longer required for the day of the Event.
WATCH SKIPPER TRAINING VIDEOS
Swim Course
| Northern Boundary | South Buoy | Rhumb Line | |
| 1.5km | 115°44.095 E | ||
| 4km | 31° 59.719′ S (-31.995317) | ||
| 115° 42.446′ E (115.707433) | |||
| 6km | 31° 59.731′ S (-31.995517) | ||
| 115° 41.180′ E (115.686333) | |||
| 8km | 31° 59.743′ S (-31.995717) | ||
| 115° 39.911′ E (115.665183) | |||
| 10km | 31° 59.450′ S (-31.824167) | 31° 59.754′ S (-31.9959) | |
| 115° 38.640′ E (115.644) | 115° 38.640′ E (115.644) | ||
| 12km | 31° 59.526′ S (-31.9921) | 31° 59.765′ S (-31.996083) | |
| 115° 37.343′ E (115.622383) | 115° 37.343′ E (115.622383) | ||
| 14km | 31° 59.599′ S (-31.993317) | 31° 59.776′ S (-31.996267) | |
| 115° 36.083′ E (115.601383) | 115° 36.083′ E (115.601383) | ||
| 15km | 31° 59.633′ S (-31.993883) | 31° 59.782′ S (-31.996367) | |
| 115° 35.486′ E (115.591433) | 115° 35.486′ E (115.591433) | ||
| 16km | 31° 59.671′ S (-31.994517) | 31° 59.787′ S (-31.99645) | |
| 115° 34.844′ E (115.580733) | 115° 34.844′ E (115.580733) | ||
| 17km | 31° 59.708′ S (-31.995133) | 31° 59.793′ S (-31.99655) | |
| 115° 34.189′ E (115.569817) | 115° 34.189′ E (115.569817) | ||
| 18km | 31° 59.740′ S (-31.995667) | 31° 59.797′ S (-31.996617) | |
| 115° 33.640′ E (115.560667) | 115° 33.640′ E (115.560667) | ||
| 18.25km | 31° 59.755′ S (-31.995917) | ||
| 115° 33.466′ E (115.557767) | |||
| 18.5km | 31° 59.769′ S (-31.99615) | ||
| 115° 33.307′ E (115.555117) | |||
| 18.75km | 31° 59.783′ S (-31.996383) | ||
| 115° 33.149′ E (115.552483) | |||
| 19km | 31° 59.797′ S (-31.996617) | 31° 59.808′ S (-31.9968) | |
| 115° 32.987′ E (115.549783) | 115° 32.987′ E (115.549783) | ||
| 19.25km | 31° 59.798′ S (-31.996633) | 31° 59.809′ S (-31.996817) | |
| 115° 32.831′ E (115.547183) | 115° 32.831′ E (115.547183) |
Finding a Support Boat
Organising a support boat can be hard, so it’s important to start organising your support boat and skipper at least six months before the event (especially if you’re coming from interstate or overseas). You need to enter your boat and skipper information when you register – this needs to be done by 5:00pm Friday, 26 January 2024, otherwise, your entry will be forfeited.
Please note that unless you have a commercial licence for your boat you are unable to charge a fee for your services.
Always meet with your skipper in person to have a practice run and check qualifications before processing any form of payment. Make sure you only accept official proof of qualifications (e.g. Skippers Ticket, Commercial Vessel Licence).
There have been instances where people have falsified information to receive payment and have then become uncontactable to participants. If this happens to you, please report the situation to the WA Police.
Best Ways to Find a Support Boat
- Post in the Boat & Paddler Facebook group – this works for most people.
- Ask around – word of mouth usually works well.
- Advertise in the Forums section on our website.
- Advertise in local newspapers, such as The Quokka.
- Advertise online for free on Gumtree.
Domestic Commercial Vessel (DCV)
In this law: domestic commercial vessel means a vessel that is for use in connection with a commercial, governmental or research activity.
Recreational vessels that are hired or hired out are defined as a DCV are in direct violation of the Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012 and there are significant financial penalties with a minimum fine in excess of $2000.00 for any contravention of the Act by way of an Infringement Notice or prosecution in a court apply.
Any recreational vessel found to be on hire during the Rottnest Channel Swim may result in the vessel being prohibited from operation immediately (withdrawn from swim), along with a breach report forwarded to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
If swimmers are looking to hire a vessel, it will need to be a Domestic Commercial Vessel. Some charter vessels can be found by visiting Bluesun2 and Exclusive Boat Charters
For further information on the Act you can visit the National Regulator at www.amsa.gov.au. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Transport (Marine) on 1300 863 308.
Boat Guidelines
If you enter as a swimmer, you’re required to have a support boat. You must organise your own support boat and paddle craft – no personal watercraft (e.g. jet skis) are permitted.
The size of the boat required is determined by two factors:
- The minimum size of boat that is legally permitted to travel to Rottnest Island;
- The number of people onboard.
For these reasons, and for comfort and sun/wind protection, the RCSA recommends the following sized boats:
Soloist’s: No less than 5 metres
Duo’s/Team’s: No less than 6 metres
The RCSA will, however, allow any vessel with a length 4.5 metres or greater legally permitted carry the whole team (including the swimmer(s), paddler(s), and support crew).
The number of people permitted on board is determined by either the information displayed on the Australian Builder’s Plate or (if there is no Builder’s Plate) by reference to the below guidelines from the Western Australian Department of Transport.
The maximum number of people aboard (including swimmer/s and paddlers)
- 4.5m to less than 5m: 5 people
- 5m to less than 5.5m: 6 people
- 5.5m to less than 6m: 7 people
Please note these guidelines are recommendations only and it is the master’s responsibility to determine the exact number of people onboard for a safe voyage:
It’s the responsibility of the skipper to make sure the boat is suitable and capable of making the trip. The skipper also needs to check thoroughly that the support boat isn’t overloaded.
Here is the skipper’s checklist that will help your skipper understand their rights, duties and responsibilities. Life jackets must be provided for each person on board, plus an extra one for each swimmer and paddler. It’s highly recommended (but not compulsory) that a paddle craft be used to assist the swimmer/s and skipper on the day.
Call signs for solo swimmers, and duo and teams will be the solo/duo/team number. For example, if you’re solo swimmer 100 your call sign is “Solo swimmer 100”, if you’re duo 323 your call sign will be “Duo 323”, and if you’re team 450 your call sign will be “Team 450”.
Support Boat Information Required to Complete Your Registration
Event skippers will be required to register themselves and their boat. The details they will need are:
- Name of boat
- Boat registration number*
- Boat length*
- Make of boat – boat make and model
- Engine type – inboard or outboard
- Type of marine radio – VHF Only
- Mooring location/number if staying overnight at Rottnest*
- Boat skipper’s name*
- Boat skipper’s address*
- Boat skipper’s mobile number*
- Boat skipper’s email address*
- Boat skipper’s Recreational Skipper’s Ticket number*
* Compulsory information to complete your entry.
