Jet Skis made a brief return to Sydney Harbour today – to raise money and awareness for the White Ribbon Charity against domestic violence – 21 years and one month after being banned from the iconic waterway in October 2001.
The special formation of 50 Jet Skis – which from above looked like a giant ribbon – travelled at four knots under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and past the Sydney Opera House under the guidance of NSW Maritime officials.
The flotilla comprised a mix of Sea-Doo and Yamaha WaveRunner vessels, the majority of which were from emergency services such as NSW Maritime, NSW Marine Rescue, and Surf Life Saving NSW.
The event was timed perfectly so as to not interrupt Sydney Ferry services, and to provide a clear path for the watershed event.
The White Ribbon Jet Ski ride for charity – the first of its type in Sydney – took place mid-morning on Friday 18 November 2022.
It was meant to coincide with a similar formation of 50 Jet Skis along Brisbane River underneath the Story Bridge – where the concept was pioneered last year for the same charity – however this year’s Queensland event was cancelled.
Participants in the NSW Jet Ski charity ride – most of whom are volunteers for Surf Life Saving or Marine Rescue – raised more than $16,000 for the White Ribbon cause.
Although Sydney Harbour has been an exclusion zone for Jet Skis and personal watercraft since 2001, there have been rare exceptions over the years for professional riders during special events under close supervision.
In recent years, exemptions for Jet Skis on Sydney Harbour have been granted for organised stunt riding events in Circular Quay and Darling Harbour.
In 2018, a small group of about a dozen riders – of more than 100 participants in the Yamaha Variety Jet Trek – won the opportunity to start that year’s event under the Sydney Harbour Bridge escorted by NSW Police and NSW Maritime.
Despite the long-standing Jet Ski ban on Sydney Harbour, authorities still occasionally catch riders flouting the rules.
The fine for riding a Jet Ski on Sydney Harbour starts from $500 for a first offence. Subsequent offences can lead to licence cancellation and confiscation of the watercraft.
According to data provided to Watercraft Zone, at least 14 Jet Ski riders have been intercepted on Sydney Harbour since the ban was introduced in 2001.
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