Water ‘hoons’ threat on bays

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Water hoons are spoiling the fun of boating enthusiasts across the region, according to local boaties.
Breakwater Marine’s Wayne Gibbons said he regularly saw boat operators flouting laws banning them from shipping channels in Corio and Port Phillip bays.
“I’ve been boating for 25 years and I still see them mooring in the channel or too close to it,” he said.
“I saw a boat capsized by the bow wave of a big ship a few years ago. People don’t realise the power in those waves.”
Independent fishing columnist Brian Long said he was aware of anglers in boats breaking the rules close to Alcoa Pier.
“Sometimes they can be chasing a school of fish and not realise they’re in a channel,” he said.
A Transport Safety Victoria spokesperson reported 17 incidents of recreation vessels “interacting with shipping” in the bays since October.
Port of Melbourne Corporation and Transport Safety Victoria were running a Steer Clear campaign to educate boat operators on the dangers of using shipping channels, he said.
“Recreational boaters are reminded to always steer clear of ships. Small craft are prohibited from impeding the passage of ships.
“Ships can weigh up to 100,000 tonnes and do not have brakes, they cannot stop or change course suddenly and will travel a long distance before stopping.”
Water Police Squad Leading Senior Constable Brendan Reither urged witnesses to report hoons by emailing water-hoon-watch-mgr@police.vic.gov.au.