Digital speed signs changing boatie behaviour

Monday 22 June 2026

Data collected by Marine Safety SA shows signs installed at North Haven and St Kilda at the start of this year have significantly improved compliance with the 4-knot water speed limit at these locations.

At St Kilda, the average speed of operators approaching the camera has fallen by more than 30 per cent – or more than 2 knots – while vessels at North Haven have slowed by nearly 15 per cent.

The encouraging early results have prompted the installation of two new digital signs, with one operating in a 7-knot speed zone at the Barker Inlet in metropolitan waters and another on the Eyre Peninsula, located within a 4-knot zone within the busy Lincoln Cove Marina.

Vessels approaching at or below the signed speed, trigger the sign to display their speed and a green smiley face, while any vessel exceeding the limit will be met with a flashing red ‘SLOW DOWN’ alert.

Unlike road vehicles, boats do not always have equipment to display their speed.

These signs help bridge that gap, making the waterways safer for people and marine life – including Port River dolphins – by educating boaties about the correct speed without the fear of being penalised.

Exceeding the posted speed limit can increase the risk of accidents and injury.

It can also create significant wakes on the water that can impact other waterway users.

Over the past four years more than a third of operators were non-compliant with safety regulations, including speeding.

Marine Safety SA’s online reporting tool also indicated that nearly half of all concerns received from the public over the past four years related to speed.

Creating safer boating through technology was a key priority area identified in the state’s Recreational Boating Safety Strategy.

As the first regional location, the installation at Lincoln Cove Marina marks another important milestone for this initiative.