More than 50 fines and 100 warnings issued to water sport enthusiasts

Dozens of fines and warnings have been handed down after police ran a jet ski blitz on Lake Hume.

Water Police and local uniformed officers have cracked down on jet-skiers during a safety blitz at Lake Hume.

More than 50 infringement notices and 100 warnings were issued to water sport enthusiasts, with the majority of offences relating to boat users and kayakers failing to wear a lifejacket.

Water Police squad acting Sergeant Kristina Clappison said it was “disappointing” to see the public not wear or carry a lifejacket.

“A lifejacket is no good to you if you’re not wearing it,” she said.

“If you fall from a vessel at speed, you need to stay buoyant to increase your chance of survival.”

Australia has reported 41 drowning deaths since the start of summer.

10 infringement notices were given to members of the public for excessive speeding, with several jet skiers caught travelling more than five knots within 200m of the shore.

Authorities crackdown on jet skiers in Lake Hume for flocking safety rules

“We saw several jet skiers travelling way too close to other vessels and swimmers and approaching the shore at high speed,” Sgt Clappison said.

“People need to remember these vessels are powerful and can be extremely dangerous if the operator has no control.”

Other infringements were issued after inspections revealed several boat users failed to have the right equipment on board, like torches and fire extinguishers.

“It‘s such a simple measure to follow and can save your life,” she said.

Officers were left shaking their heads after observing two jet skiers sitting on a trailer that was being towed by a vehicle.

It’s alleged the jet skiers boarded the trailer at the ramp, and the driver travelled more than 1km with them on the back while many vehicles followed behind.

The jet skiers, aged in their late teens, were fined for travelling in or on the part of a motor vehicle not designed for the carriage of passengers.

“It’s undoubtedly very silly to sit on a jet ski while being towed on the road by a motor vehicle. If these people fell backwards, they would have landed in the path of another oncoming car – the ending could have been catastrophic,” she said.

The 20-year-old driver of the vehicle was also fined for driving with passengers in or on the part of a motor vehicle not designed for the carriage of passengers.

Tallangatta police also conducted a total of 126 breath tests, but no offence was detected.

“Be assured you will continue to see Water Police up at Lake Hume this summer – ensuring everyone is safe while enjoying the water,” Sgt Clappison said.