Fresh warnings have been issued to Jet Ski riders and boaters in the lead-up to summer as authorities launched their 2022-2023 safety campaign with a show of force from first responders on Sydney Harbour.
Authorities say there will be more patrols on the water this summer as the latest figures show sales of Jet Skis – and the uptake of Jet Ski licences – are growing at a faster rate than for boats.
Data from Transport for NSW shows there has been a 24 per cent increase in Jet Ski registrations – and a corresponding 24 per cent increase in Jet Ski licence holders – in the two-year period to March 2022.
By comparison, boat registrations and the number of boat licence holders remained relatively stable over the same period, say authorities.
In the lead-up to the October long weekend, key emergency service agencies helped launch this season’s safety campaign, following a record high number of fatalities on the water over the past two years – despite COVID lockdowns.
The National Coastal Safety Report by Surf Life Saving Australia revealed a record high 55 coastal drowning deaths in NSW last year, with 15 per cent (8 deaths) linked to boats and Jet Skis.
The death toll on the water last year was almost 30 per cent higher than the 10-year average, authorities revealed.
In an interview with Watercraft Zone in the lead-up to National Safe Boating week (1-7 October, 2022), the Executive Director of NSW Maritime at Transport for NSW, Mark Hutchings – who is also a keen Jet Ski rider – acknowledged most personal watercraft (PWC) owners do the right thing.
However, he said Jet Ski hoons will face the full force of the law – including the possible confiscation of their personal watercraft.
“We recognise the majority of people who use PWCs – like me – do the right thing,” said Mr Hutchings (pictured above) during the media launch of the summer safety campaign near Sydney Opera House.
“Whether it’s on the land or the water, there will always be a minority of people that will give other people a bad name.
“What we are seeing … as we get more (Jet Ski) education out there, we are heading in the right direction. But we will always get people who do the wrong the thing.
“If they do the wrong thing, we have (hoon regulations) that enable us to seize watercraft. On occasions when that’s warranted, that action can be taken.”
However, Mr Hutchings said Maritime officers “primarily take an education approach … before we need to enforce.”
“The more education and the more communication that we get out there the better,” said Mr Hutchings. “But if people do the wrong thing, we will come down hard on them.”
The head of NSW Maritime also issued a reminder that it is compulsory for anyone who rides a Jet Ski to have the appropriate licence and complete the relevant PWC (Jet Ski) safety course.
Although NSW Maritime is yet to disclose exact figures, Watercraft Zone understands the majority of PWC (Jet Ski) deaths in the past five years have involved unlicenced riders or those not wearing a life jacket.
“Anyone using a PWC (Jet Ski), they need to have a licence, and they need to have appropriate training,” said Mr Hutchings.
“You should never get on a Jet Ski unless you have a proper licence and you’ve done the test.
“If they don’t do that, and they don’t know the rules, then people can die or get seriously injured because they have not gone through that process.
“The simple message is: if you want to ride a Jet Ski, get your licence, be careful – particularly when starting out – and make sure you know the rules.”
When asked about the high cost of Jet Ski licences, registration, and fines in NSW – which are the highest nationally by some considerable margin – Mr Hutchings told Watercraft Zone the fees are set by regulators “for a whole range of reasons”.
“Every time another class of vessel comes on to the water, like the popularity of Jet Skis (which) have gone through the roof – they make up a third of all (new boat) sales …
“To be able to enforce, comply, and deal with the extra work that goes with that, then prices are set against licences etcetera to make sure we can make people safe out on the water.”
The NSW Minister for Transport, David Elliot, also acknowledged in an interview with Watercraft Zone that not all Jet Ski riders are hoons.
When Minister Elliot was asked if he acknowledged the majority of Jet Ski riders do the right thing, he said: “Absolutely, it’s a legitimate past time.”
However, Minister Elliot noted Jet Ski riders who flout the law are not only putting themselves and others in danger, they risk hefty penalties if caught doing the wrong thing.
“For the bonafide people that love (Jet Skis), enjoy it. But for those who do the wrong thing, just be aware we have some pretty stiff penalties for those who breach the laws,” Minister Elliot told Watercraft Zone.
NSW Ambulance Deputy Commissioner David Dutton told media at the safety briefing: “Paramedics, like the rest of the community, are looking forward to the summer boating season. But we’re also alert to the possibility of injury and, tragically on occasion, death when people aren’t prepared.”
NSW Ambulance responded to almost 900 water-related callouts across the state last financial year, officials said.
Figures provided by Transport for NSW revealed 83 lives might have been saved had all people presumed drowned in recreational boating incidents in the 10 years to March 2022 worn a life jacket.
Indeed, the latest data shows 10 of the 13 people who died in boating or Jet Ski accidents in the 12 months to March 2022 were not wearing life jackets.
NSW Police Marine Area Command Superintendent Murray Reynolds (pictured below), told the media briefing: “We want to make sure our recreational boaters are out enjoying our wonderful waterways.
“In that regard we’re going to target anti-social behaviour, drugs, and alcohol,” he said, noting police on the water will be equipped to test boaters and Jet Ski riders for both substances.
NSW Police say they will also continue routine compliance checks on safety equipment, licences, and vessel registration.
Marine Rescue officials reminded all boaters and Jet Ski riders – especially those heading offshore or on a solo ride – to log-on to the recently updated Marine Rescue smartphone app, or dial the hotline with their details.
Over the past two years, more than 3000 Marine Rescue volunteers helped conduct more than 8000 rescues and return more than 18,000 boaters back to shore, officials said.
Safety authorities noted the upcoming 2022-2023 summer boating season is the first time since 2019 people can use NSW waterways without COVID-19 restrictions.
“Extreme weather and flooding in 2022 has changed our rivers and coastlines,” said a statement from Transport for NSW.
“Heavy surf has shifted sand and previously-familiar bar crossings, particularly on the North Coast, should be navigated with caution.”
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