JET ski hoons are increasingly being monitored from the shore.
Maritime Safety Victoria (MSV) says it has more officers using on-shore surveillance of jet skis which are “a growing risk to safety”.
The announcement by MSV comes just days after Mornington Peninsula Shire opened new boat launching ramps at Rye despite critics claiming they will increase hoon behaviour by jet ski riders.
“Surveillance footage of people riding personal watercraft – such as jet skis – is evidence of the obvious risk,” MSV director Rachel Gualano said.
“Injuries caused by jet ski collisions are significant. They have drastically impacted people’s ability to work and live normal lives, and in other cases resulted in death.
“Our data, in-field observations and other intel suggest that the likelihood of collisions is growing, putting more beach goers at greater risk of injury or death.”
Ms Gualano said it was a “small but reckless group of individuals who are also putting public tolerance of these kinds of vessels at our beaches at risk”.
Jet ski owners could be fined up to $1612 for allowing it to be used by someone who was unlicensed.
Ms Gualano said beach goers on the Mornington Peninsula “are feeling a greater threat from [jet skis]”.
“MSV works with local council and other enforcement agencies such as Victoria Water Police and Parks Victoria, who all report increasing congestion in our waterways,” she said.
Jet ski riders face fines of $322 for breaking speed and distance rules; $806 for riding an unregistered craft or riding while unlicensed; if a speed and distance rule offence, or operating unlicensed, is successfully prosecuted, the court may impose up to $3223 for each offence. Courts can also impose a $9660 penalty for operating an unregistered craft. The rules and MSV’s Ride Right safety advice is available at transportsafety.vic.gov.au/msv/pwc
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 11 December 2018
