Revealed: Plan for personalised number plates for boats and jet skis to improve safety

A former councillor is in negotiations with government officials to get personalised plates on jet skis and watercraft.

Gold Coast boaties will have personalised number plates on their jet skis and watercraft under a private-public partnership with the state government.

Former Paradise Point councillor Grant Pforr, who represented the city at overseas boat shows, is floating the business proposal and in negotiations with government officials.

Former Gold Coast City councillor Grant Pforr has a plan to introduced personalised number plates for watercraft to help fund improved safety on the water.

Mr Pforr has publicly released his plans at this weekend’s Sanctuary Cove Boat Show and sought expressions of interest, having got backing from several industry leaders.

In a letter to Transport Minister Mark Bailey, he has outlined the optional personalised marine vessel registration program in which owners could get their own name and numbering system.

He said the new registration system would “provide much-needed funds for marine safety in Queensland”.

Personalised number plates as part of a plan by former Gold Coast City councillor Grant Pforr – these letters show the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show.

The scheme would be similar to the one used for vehicle registration, with some of the profits and transfer fees able to fund new safety initiatives on waterways.

Mr Pforr estimated at least 400 accidents occurred on Queensland waterways each year. Many others were unreported.

A personalised number plate system could provide for more education, greater presence of marine safety around boaties on the water and improved identification of boats and jet skis.

A proposal for personalised number plates on marine craft is being promoted by former Gold Coast City councillor Grant Pforr.

“This could provide greater outcomes for a better and safer recreational space for the entire community,” Mr Pforr said.

He asked if the proposal could be “elevated” in the department’s legislative timelines.

Maritime Safety said it would “give the proposal consideration in due course”. It required an assessment of the development and maintenance costs against the number of vessels.

Former Gold Coast City councillor Grant Pforr wants to change the existing system for the registration of boats – introducing personalised plates.

Coast yacht charter operators are strongly backing the move by giving letters of support and saying it would be a “win-win for everyone”.

More funding was needed for the “maintenance and improved channel markers so our waterways would be a safer recreational space for the entire community”.