Jet skis: Water police blitz beaches, boat ramps Mt Martha to Sorrento
Police are warning against reckless behaviour on the water as they grapple with a record number of marine emergencies, including serious jet ski accidents.
South East
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Jet ski hoons have been put on notice as police gear up for record numbers to hit Victorian coasts and waterways this summer.
Water Police Sergeant David McHenry said marine incidents had soared across the state since lockdown restrictions eased.
In November alone there were 70 per cent more incidents compared to the same period in 2019, he said.
The call-outs ranged from boaties running out of fuel to more serious incidents including kayakers being blown out to sea and jet ski collisions at Altona and Melton Weir that caused “life-changing” injuries.
In both of the jet ski accidents pillion passengers suffered a broken pelvis.
“Jet-skis and boats are not toys. They’re large, heavy, fast-moving machines and the results of a collision, be it with a swimmer or another vessel, can be catastrophic,” Sgt McHenry said.
He said water police and other agencies including Victorian Fisheries and Marine Safety Victoria and even council officers would be out in force over the summer to ensure jet skis and other vessels were operated safely.
The crackdown would focus on speed and distance rules and include covert surveillance involving filming jet skis from the beach.
The campaign kicks off this weekend with a two day blitz on the Mornington Peninsula.
Water Police Senior Sergeant Paul Gatty said Operation Southend would involve a “highly visible police presence” at beaches and boat ramps from Mount Martha to Sorrento.
“Boat or PWC users speeding and operating too close to other vessels or swimmers is of a real concern to police,” he said.
“We want everyone to enjoy themselves safely, however Victoria Police will not hesitate to hold people to account who fail to observe marine safety laws.”
Mornington Peninsula Shire community safety officers, who were trained in surveillance and reporting by Maine Safety Victoria in 2019, would also monitor jet ski behaviour from the beach.
The council has been pushing for greater powers to issue fines for breaches of marine regulations and has also asked for practical licence testing, jet ski bans for those under 18 and a trial CCTV enforcement program.
Last summer 500 fines were issued to personal water craft users and 10 cases related to jet ski hooning were prosecuted in the Magistrates Court.
Of the 10 cases, three involved incidents at Rye, Port Melbourne and Altona and seven related to hooning on inland waterways, including Lake Nagambie.
“All of those cases went to court and resulted in marine licenses being lost for six months,” Sgt McHenry said.
Anyone who witnesses dangerous behaviour on the water or vessels in distress should call Triple triple-0.
Non urgent incidents should be reported to the Police Assistance Line 131 444.
