Call to ban jet skis at Rye Beach as hoons cause havoc
JET skis should be banned at a popular Rye beach, as hoons playing “chicken” make life a “nightmare” and endanger the safety of beachgoers and marine life, a community group says.
South East
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HOONS on jet skis are endangering lives and potentially wrecking the marine environment off Rye Beach, a community group has warned.
Rye Community Group Alliance chair Mechelle Cheers has called for a ban on the craft, saying some jet ski riders had been playing “chicken” — racing toward each other and swerving at the last minute to avoid collision — and roaring toward Rye Pier and turning hard to spray water on people.
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“Dangerous hooning made the front beach and the pier a nightmare to be on or near,” she said.
“The large hoon element shows no respect for other beach and water users and certainly no respect for the bay dolphins.”
Ms Cheers said she feared marine grasses in the shallow waters near the pier were being wrecked.
Fellow group member Sarah Race said families were being put off by the hooning.
“A lot of people are scared of what could happen. They’re going so fast,” she said.
In a statement, Minister for Ports Luke Donnellan said Water Police and Maritime Safety Victoria held a massive water and land-based enforcement blitz on jet ski behaviour — focusing on speed and operation within no boating zones — over summer.
“The waters east of Rye Jetty for 180m (parallel to the shore) and out to 200m off shore are zoned as swimming zones where jet skis are prohibited,” he said.
“There is also a mixed use zone that extends to 500m off shore in which all vessels must operate at a speed not exceeding five knots within 50m of a bather or any other vessel.”
Mr Donnellan urged anyone who saw jet ski riders flouting the rules to call Water Police.
Mornington Peninsula Shire strategic planner (coastal) Jeska Dee said the council was unable to enforce compliance within boating and swimming zones.
She said the council had called on Parks Victoria to address issues involving jet skis in the Rye Beach area last year.
“Parks Victoria confirmed they listed Rye as a hotspot for patrols to ensure compliance within the zones, She said.
“Parks Victoria have regular discussions with Water Police regarding concerns and issues regarding personal water craft usage.”
Parks Victoria has been contacted for comment.