KINGSTON beachgoers fear it is just a matter of time before jet-ski riders who fail to observe designated swimming zones maim or kill someone.
Eyewitnesses told The News that jet-ski operators were seen regularly straying within a ‘Swimming Only’ zone at Edithvale beach on Saturday 8 February.
Parks Victoria implemented the Swimming Only zone directly in front of Edithvale Life Saving Club in June last year as part of a move to improve safety across Port Phillip and Western Port by introducing new boating and swimming zones.
Jet-skis can still be operated along the foreshore within 200 metres of the beach either side of the Swimming Only zone but must not exceed a speed of five knots.
Water police sergeant Mark Greenhill said patrols will continue to crack down on personal water craft (PWC) users who do the wrong thing along bayside beaches, as part of Operation Colossus launched in December last year.
“It’s been a very successful operation so far,” Sgt Greenhill said. “We’ve issued more than 200 penalty notices to PWC users and have conducted licence and safety checks on over a thousand vessels.”
The operation will continue throughout summer until after Easter.
Transport Safety Victoria has warned boaters to slow down. TSV data showed there have been four boating collisions in the state since the start of December last year.
TSV spokesperson Paul Corkill said that all boaters have a responsibility to make safety a high priority for the benefit of all waterway users.
“Speed and distance are often key contributing factors in boating collisions, many of which result in serious injuries and, in some circumstances, death.
“Regardless of where you are boating, you must stick to the speed limit of five knots when within 50 metres of a swimmer or another vessel. You must also keep a proper lookout for other waterway users,” Mr Corkill said.
