Speed cameras to hit the water

Hoons have been put on notice with Victoria set to install cameras to catch speeding boats and jet skis. This is what happens if you’re caught.

Speed cameras will be rolled out across Victoria’s waterways for the first time in a bid to catch lead-foot boat drivers.

The Herald Sun can reveal Maritime Safety Victoria plans to trial surveillance cameras in the coming months in a move that is tipped to cut down “jet ski hoons”.

The number of cameras to be deployed, and their locations are still to be decided.

People caught flouting speed limits could be slapped with a $330 fine.

But there are no plans to link marine offences towards a person’s driver's licence, or to issue demerit points if a person is caught speeding on the water.

Maritime Safety Victoria is set to test if the technology can be used to catch bad behaviour, boats entering banned areas and those exceeding speed limits near piers, swimmers in shores and other vessels.

The government agency will be out enforcing the rules on the water this summer with partners including Victoria Police and plans to bolster compliance using the cameras.

Victoria Police will be enforcing rules this summer on the water. Picture: AAP

It comes after a successful trial of cameras used for enforcement in Western Australia.

The new cameras will be different to ones that have been installed since 2019 at boat ramps across the state, which provide real-time information through the Boating Vic website and app, including about the weather.

Maritime Safety Victoria Director Shaun Rodenburg urged people to safely use waterways and travel within speed limits.

“We are looking to launch a pilot rollout of a new network of cameras for surveillance and speed detection,” Mr Rodenburg said.

“Significant penalties apply for boaters who ignore speed zones and put others at risk.”

Boating Industry Association of Victoria chief executive Steve Walker said the introduction of speed cameras will help “weed out” the “jet ski hoons” and help people enjoy the water.

The vast majority of people do the right thing, Mr Walker says. Photo: Hamish Blair

“They will help make it safer for all and the surveillance will identity the small minority of boaters who do the wrong thing,” Mr Walker said.

“We’re so confident that the vast majority of people do the right thing that we don’t have a single thing to worry about.

“They may end up saving lives … we have a good record and want to keep it that way.”

Mr Rodenburg said analysis of the data provided by the speed cameras might then lead to “targeted education and enforcement activities”.