The Bellarine and the Surf Coast and even Corio Bay are great places for jet skiing, but jet skiers are being urged to “cool your jets” this summer in a new behaviour change program tackling speeding jet skis.
The Safe Transport Victoria program – backed by a joint-agency compliance operation – aims to change the behaviour of the small number of jetski riders who don’t follow the speed limits in place to protect swimmers and other recreational boaters.
The message is simple cool your jets when riding a jet ski. This means slowing down to 5 knots when within 50 metres of other jet skis, other vessels and swimmers.
A 5-knot speed limit also exists close to the shoreline with rules for different types of waterways. On coastal and enclosed waters the speed limit applies within 200 metres of the shore, on bayside beaches at the southern end of the Mornington Peninsula it’s 500 metres, and on most inland waters it’s 50 metres.
The joint-agency operation by Safe Transport Victoria, Victoria Police, and Parks Victoria will see compliance officers out on the water throughout this summer making sure jet ski riders do the right thing.
Boaters and jet skiers must know all the rules that apply to the waters they’re on. Grab a copy of the boating safety handbook at safetransport.vic.gov.au/on-the-water/recreational-boating
Safe Transport Victoria will provide behaviour change materials to jet skiers through social media, online communications, and at in-person activation events across the summer. Learn more about the cool your jets program at safetransport.vic.gov.au/cool-your-jets/
“Safe Transport Victoria’s role is to support safe use of shared waterways for the benefit of all recreational users,“ Kate Maheras, Interim Director Maritime Safety, Safe Transport Victoria said.
“The ‘Cool your Jets’ program will help create a safer, more positive experience for everyone out on the water. Jet ski riders should cool their jets and ride safely when near other boaters, swimmers and the shoreline.
“It’s easy to follow the 5-knot rule – if there is a visible wake behind your jet ski, then you’re going faster than 5 knots.”
“Parks Victoria is working with the Victorian Water Police and Safe Transport Victoria, monitoring and responding to illegal, poor and unsafe rider behaviours in the bays,” Parks Victoria District Manager Graeme Davis said.
“Please be considerate of other waterway and beach users and stay safe. Parks Victoria rangers will be on the water over summer to issue infringements to people behaving irresponsibly around other waterway users and marine mammals.”
