Under new laws set to be introduced on the Mornington Peninsula, swimmers will be afforded much greater protection from the dangers posed by jet skis.
The new laws come after years of lobbying by various groups concerned by people and high-powered watercraft being in the same vicinity.
Under the plan, swimmers will be restricted from entering the water at Mornington Peninsula beaches except for certain designated windows. Between August and April each year, swimmers will only be able to enter the water between 8am and 11am. During that window, jet skis must remain at least 200 metres offshore.
“This is a win for common sense,” said local real estate agent and jet ski owner Phillip Fillkis.
“We must keep jet skis and people apart. If we do that, there is zero chance of injury.
“Let’s face it, most people head to the beach to just set up a cool cabana and bugger off for the day, so why shouldn’t jet ski riders get exclusive use of the water?
“The sand is for the exclusive use of beach goers. I mean, it is bloody hard to ride a jet ski on sand anyway. God knows I’ve tried!”
The new rules are a first in Australia and could reshape jet ski use nation-wide.
“For too long we’ve been maligned,” said Fillkis.
“How are we meant to see a swimmer’s head when traveling at 80 knots through the water with a skinful of grog and more than our fair share of methamphetamine?”
“You just don’t see the swimmers at all, and then ‘clunk’ and we’re the bad guys when they get injured. It just isn’t fair!”
It is believed all levels of government have approved the plan, and funding is being made available for what is expected to be a jet ski-driven tourist boom.
“With 27,600 jet skis currently registered in Victoria, this will be fantastic for the peninsula economy,” said Fillkis.
“We envisage, with these new rules, virtually all of them will head to the peninsula.”
“The vibe will be excellent. With 27,600 jet skis screaming around peninsula beaches, well, you’ll be able to hear it from space!”
It is believed that with the expected influx of jet skis and the Ford Rangers that tow them, extra consideration will be needed to allow them to all launch.
“We have to be smart about this if we want it to work,” said Fillkis.
“We’re lobbying for some beaches to be paved and used for trailer parking. It is so much easier if we can launch right from the beach.
“We’ll pave Mt Martha South completely, for example. But don’t think we are being unfair to beach goers. We’ve made allowances for swimmers and beach goers to make exclusive use of Mt Martha North beach.”
“It will be awesome!”
It is hoped that the new changes will have finally solved the vexing problem of jet ski usage on the Mornington Peninsula and will usher in a new era of happy co-existence.
