Jet Ski hoons on the Mornington Peninsula south-east of Melbourne have triggered a crackdown by police.
And the popular recreational boating and swimming area is now at risk of more exclusion zones for personal watercraft amid rising complaints from locals.
A horror weekend in the peak of the summer holiday season mid January 2023 saw one Jet Ski rider air-lifted to hospital after coming off his craft at high-speed.
Now the bad behaviour of a small number of Jet Ski riders threatens to set in motion the rollout of harsher restrictions and penalties.
A string of Jet Ski incidents on the Mornington Peninsula made the TV news, the worst of which was video footage of a Jet Ski rider speeding towards two teenage girls in a boat – before he turned suddenly and sprayed them with water.
The 16-year-old newly-licenced Jet Ski rider was quickly identified and charged by police after his dangerous antics were caught on camera.
In an interview on Nine News, one of the teenage girls told the TV reporter: “We moved away to get away from him but he kept following us.”
In a media statement about the incident, Victoria Police said: “A Jet Ski rider who allegedly rode dangerously close to a boat at Safety Beach this week will be charged by Water Police.
“Two police boats from Water Police’s strike team were deployed after receiving reports a Jet Skier was travelling at speed within metres of a stationary boat about 3.40pm on Monday 16 January, 2023.
“It’s alleged the rider deliberately sprayed the occupants with water before speeding off.
“With assistance from (local) uniform police officers, the Jet Ski rider was identified on the beach and subsequently interviewed by police.
“The 16-year-old boy, who only recently obtained his marine licence, will be charged with dangerous operation, exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of another vessel and fail to maintain safety equipment. He will face a magistrates court at a later date.”
Victoria Police said the charge of “dangerous operation”of a Jet Ski comes with a mandatory six-month loss of licence and “can be accompanied with thousands of dollars in fines.”
“We won’t tolerate dangerous behaviour on Jet Skis,” said Acting Sergeant Michael Greenwood, Water Police Squad, in a media statement.
“The bay is a shared space. Be mindful of others when using it. If you engage in this type of behaviour, remember our strike teams are not far away. You will be caught up with.”
The latest Jet Ski incident – and other examples of dangerous behaviour – again triggered a backlash from locals, and local government authorities.
Councillor Steve Holland (pictured above), the Mornington Shire Mayor, told Nine News:
“We’re at our limit now. We need the State Government and the Minister to step up and make sure that the Water Police are actively resourced so that they can patrol the bay area.”
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