Jetski offences surge

Over the weekend of January 11-12, officers conducted nearly 2000 vessel safety checks statewide, including on around 600 jetskis, with the Murray River and Lake Mulwala among the jetski hotspots targeted by patrols.

Mulwala was number one on the list with 43 offences followed by Forster with 25, around Tuggerah (22) and near Moama (20).

The top three offences for all vessels at Mulwala during the operation included 13 for licensing and registration (30 per cent), 12 for lifejackets (27 per cent) and six for not complying with the request of NSW Maritime officers (14 per cent).

Specifically for jetskis, eight were for licensing and registration (50 per cent), three for not complying with the request of NSW Maritime officers (19 per cent), and a further three for safety concerns (19 per cent).

From December, 18 2024 to January, 16 there have been 21 offences for licensing and registration, and 21 offences for lifejackets (each making up 25 per cent of total offences).

Again for jetskis in particular, 13 were for not complying with the request of NSW Maritime officers (37 per cent), 12 for licensing or registration (34 per cent), and three were for safety concerns (9 per cent).

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said that there are three statewide campaigns held annually and several other localised campaigns which generally coincide with Victorian Public holidays.

“Jetskis are popular because they’re fun, but people need to remember the rules and that dangerous riding can be deadly,” the spokesperson said.

“NSW Maritime wants everyone to always look out for their mates and other waterway users on the water.”

Across the state officers issued 95 penalty notices and 256 official warnings over the weekend of ‘cool your jets’, with a quarter of those offences relating to jetskis.

NSW Maritime Cool Your Jets Campaign Coordinator Jay Ruming said while the vast majority of riders are doing the right thing, there are some who are continuing to be a danger and a nuisance to other riders, swimmers, boaters, residents and marine life. “It’s the school holidays, the weather is hot, and we’re seeing huge volumes of jetski riders right across the state,” Mr Ruming said.

“Most of these riders are behaving in a manner that doesn’t put lives at risk or discourages people from enjoying our waterways at the best time of the year to do so. “Unfortunately, a small minority of these riders continue to do the wrong thing on our waterways through aggression, recklessness or inexperience.”

The operation comes at a time when the popularity of jetskis is booming, with more than 92,000 riders currently licensed in NSW – a 43 per cent increase from the same time five years ago.

Maritime officers are reminding riders to look out for their mates and loved ones following a spate of incidents involving crashes with riders known to one-another.

“Our data tells us that jetskis are heavily over-represented in serious injury incidents,” Mr Ruming said.

“People involved in an accident on a jetski have a 50 per cent likelihood they’ll suffer a serious injury.”

Since the start of summer there have been ten jet-ski related incidents, with one of those crashes leaving a jetskier with a double pelvic fracture, another with broken limbs and a third rider with serious facial and spinal injuries after he was knocked unconscious.

Key safety advice for new and experienced operators includes:

•You and your passengers should always wear a lifejacket when riding.

•Appropriately licenced and registered.

•Keep a proper lookout.

•Maintain a safe distance and speed and follow the speed limit signs.

•Not operating in an ‘irregular’ manner.

•Ensure a jetski behaviour sticker is attached.

•Utilise the ignition safety switch (kill switch) - most jetskis come equipped with an emergency ignition safety switch which is a safety device designed to shut the engine down if the operator is thrown off the jetski.

•Keep to a safe speed for the conditions and follow the speed limit signs.

•Always keep a safe distance clear of others, the shore, structures, other craft and especially people in the water.

•Jetskis use water-jet thrust to steer. Be aware that if the throttle is turned off suddenly the control you have over the steering can be reduced.

•Always make sure the bungs are in.

•Always check the weather before you head out.

Mr Ruming said it is crucial jetskiers know the rules and abide by them to avoid a potentially hefty fine, licence suspension, or worse, a serious crash.

“It’s important jetskiers know they need to stay at least 30 metres away from other vessels, objects or the shore when travelling six knots (11km/h) or more,” Mr Ruming said.

“They also, where possible, need to stay at least 60 metres away from people or dive flags.”

NSW Maritime has introduced a wave of new initiatives for the 2024-25 boating season aimed at improving the safety of all waterway users.

For more information on rules around riding jetskis or personal watercraft (PWCs) can be found on the rules sticker required to be on all registered jetskis in NSW, and in the online rules handbook for riders.