Swimmers voice fears of reckless jet ski riders in Port Phillip Bay
JET skiers continue to put swimmers’ lives at risk in Port Phillip Bay, including one at Chelsea beach who rode between red and yellow flags while Nippers were training. So what has come of calls for extended swim-only zones in the bay?
Inner South
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JET skiers continue to put swimmers’ lives at risk in Port Phillip Bay by flouting boating laws, with the long-running issue flaring again on social media this summer.
Members of the Carrum and Patterson Lakes Forum have posted photos showing jetskis close to swimmers.
POLICE NET THOUSANDS OF WATER HOONS
JET SKIS COULD BE BANNED AT THIS BEACH
Last year Kingston Council joined residents to call for changes to swimming and boating zones.
Parks Victoria asked Maritime Safety Victoria for permission to extend swim-only zones at Carrum, Chelsea and Bonbeach and introduce a new swim-only zone at Coleman Rd, Aspendale.
Seven months later, nothing has been done.
Transport Safety Victoria told Leader that Maritime Safety Victoria had not yet made a decision on the zones.
Meanwhile, beachgoers and locals say some jet ski riders are ignoring the boating zones and speed regulations.
Forum founder Cameron Howe said the powerful vessels were still entering no-boating zones at Kingston beaches.
“The excessive speeds of select jet ski operators within swimming areas causes unnecessary anxiety to swimmers who continue to report safety concerns,” Mr Howe said.
Last month group members reported a series of incidents to the forum including jet skis operating between the Chelsea Lifesaving Club red and yellow flags while Nippers were training in the water and doing doughnuts near the eastern boat ramp on Patterson River.
Sharon Konisberry posted about an incident involving a nine-year-old boy who had a “near miss” when a jet ski powered through a no-boating zone at Chelsea.
Others, including Neil Black, called for jet skis to be impounded if riders were caught breaking maritime safety rules.
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