Maritime, police put Victorian jet ski hoons on notice

Jet ski hoons are being put on notice across Victoria as authorities target notorious hot spots on the Murray River and other waterways.

Jet Ski riders are on notice this summer.

Authorities have put jet ski hoons on notice just weeks out from the summer season.

Maritime figures reveal the number of personal watercraft riders fined on the Murray River last year doubled compared to 2019-20.

But Maritime executive director Mark Hutchings said safety was a top priority for his organisation this season as Victoria Police also plan to roll out drug testing sites at boat ramps across the state.

Eight dedicated boating safety officers will also be patrolling the Murray River with four support staff.

Operation Rampstop will also run across summer with police checking vehicles, boats and trailers to ensure all safety requirements are met and the required boating equipment is present and in usable condition.

“Our message to jet ski riders is clear – have fun but always keep safety top-of-mind when heading out on the water,” Mr Hutchings said.

“This means always wearing a life jacket, keeping a distance of 200m from the shore and being respectful to other users of the waterway.”

Mr Hutchings said the first operation for the boating season was conducted between October 30 and November 1.

During the 457 inspections, 27 penalty notices and 95 official cautions were handed out.

Coming into summer, areas across Port Phillip Bay including Rye, St Kilda, Altona, Safety Beach and Mount Martha will be on high notice after they had the highest reported personal watercraft incidents last year.

Lake Hume, Lake Narracan and Nagambie have also been named as the inland hot spots.

Maritime Safety director Shaun Rodenburg said an ‘irregular riding’ rule was introduced for jet ski riders on Port Phillip in 2019.

“Most jet ski complaints that Maritime Safety Victoria receives relate to breaches of the rule, which requires riders to drive slowly and in a straight line through five-knot speed restricted zones to reduce safety risks for other waterway users,“ he said.

“Compliance with this rule continues to be a focus for us.“

Other popular spots for jet ski hoons include Phillip Island and Inverloch.

In January, police handed out multiple fines for unlicensed driving and speeding.

Sergeant Adrian Condron said riders who drove irresponsibly would be punished.

Jet ski riders are on notice this summer. Photo: AAP Image.

“They need to revise their obligations for use of their watercraft because the safety and enjoyment for everyone else who is using the beach needs to be taken into account,” he said.

In 2020 Mornington Peninsula Shire rangers became extra eyes on the water for Maritime Safety Victoria Officers.

The new Transport Safety Officers (TSOs) were trained in surveillance and had the authority to direct vessel operators to stop or come in to shore, request licence details, names and addresses, and collect evidence to support infringement notices.

However, despite the new powers the shire said enforcement remained the responsibility of MSV and the Water Police.

Mornington Peninsula community safety and compliance manager Shannon Maynard said the council had started patrolling local beaches but the priority was ensuring dog walkers did the right thing.

“However, if our officers observe a jet ski speeding or being operated erratically, they will report the issue back to Victoria Police,” he said.

Water users are advised to call triple-0 in an emergency or to report dangerous behaviour contact the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

The Environment Protection Authority is responsible for regulating noise pollution.

Maritime Safety Victoria supports enforcement through its maritime transport safety officers.