Jetski hoons, tinnie rats: Gold Coast waterways madness angers locals, cops
MAYHEM on Gold Coast waterways is being caused by the same reckless attitude which has seen the road toll skyrocket to more than 250 road deaths according to water police.
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POLICE say the reckless attitude that contributed to the deaths of dozens of people on our roads this year is surfacing on Gold Coast waterways as tinnie rats run amok.
Officers said complaints from the public regarding young “hoons” had doubled since the start of the Christmas holidays.
“We would like to see people using the waterways to be respectful,” Gold Coast Water Police Senior Sergeant Gavin Peachy said.
“It’s the same attitude which has seen us experience such a large number of accidents on our roads – about 250 people have died on our roads so far this year.”
Police and media have received photographs and footage this week of young tinnie rats causing mayhem on waterways, among them a boy on a jet ski joy ride at Clear Island Waters.
Sen Sgt Peachy said allowing a child to operate a jet ski alone was frought with danger and a “poor decision” by parents.
“Children don’t have the capacity to make sound decisions while in control of the vessel,” Sen Sgt Peachy said.
Witness Tracy Hampson said seeing what appeared to be an eight-year-old boy motor pass her home near Boobegan Creek at 6pm on Tuesday left her gobsmacked.
“We heard bang, bang, bang along the top of the water and when we ran outside and saw this little kid,” she said.
“There were no other jetski riders within sight of the boy. If you did something like that on the road no one would get away with it.”
Ms Hampson said she was fed up with boaties speeding past her house and disrespecting residents.
“Sometimes they come through so fast you don’t see them because they’re gone by the time you run out (to spot them),” she said.
“A lot of them will moon (reveal their backsides) us or tell us to ‘get (expletive)’.
“The father (of the boy) even told me ‘at least he’s not at home playing PlayStation 2, he’s out here having a go’.”
Also on Tuesday, residents living on the Coomera River took photographs of reckless young boaties while on Wednesday morning residents at Biggera Waters filmed a tinnie doing “doughnuts” near the Land’s Edge bridge.
Sen Sgt Peachy warned boaties caught speeding could be hit with $240 fines.
If their driving is deemed unsafe by officers the offenders will receive a notice to attend court.
Sen Sgt Peachy urged people who spot speeding and dangerous behaviour to make complaints to Police Link on 131 444.