Following a string of incidents involving reckless jet-skiers endangering swimmers at Melbourne beaches, calls for stricter regulations in Port Phillip Bay are intensifying. Locals, councils, lifeguards, and the family of a man killed by a jet-ski in 2012 are demanding action, citing the inadequate current laws that allow jet-skis to operate close to shore at high speeds.
Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.Alexandra Brewster shudders when she sees footage in her local Facebook group of jet-skis hooning at Port Melbourne beach close to children and families cooling off in the shallows.Nearly 13 years ago, Brewster’s life changed forever when her father, Robert, was, then aged 21, while swimming between piers at Port Melbourne.
The current marine laws in the bay dictate that jet-skis must operate at least 200 metres out from the shoreline, and while travelling through the 200-metre zone they must slow to five knots. Jet-skis can be 300 horsepower and reach speeds of 100km/h.close to shore.Sandridge Beach lifesaver David Hysen has been writing to the state government for two years begging for intervention.
It’s a similar story at nearby St Kilda, where lifesaver Tim Norman said he spent most of a recent patrol shift in a rescue boat “guarding against jet-skis”.“What happens every year is we get a new crop of people who have limited experience, may or may not have a jet-ski licence and do not seem to be familiar with the rules of separation,” he said.
Victoria Police said some of the jet-ski behaviour officers had witnessed recently was “frankly appalling”. Police will escalate patrols over the coming summer months. The groups argue a wide buffer would solve the issue of distance from swimmers, as well as the roaring noise of the jet-skis.“On Rye Pier we’ve measured the noise at 85 decibels,” says campaign spokeswoman and Rye local Mechelle Cheers.
Jet-Ski Regulation Melbourne Beaches Port Phillip Bay Water Safety Reckless Behavior
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