A TWO-month operation targeting jet ski riders on Mornington Peninsula beaches has resulted in fines for 94 jet ski riders and boaties.
17 fines were issued for operating a vessel exceeding five knots within 200 metres of the water’s edge. Three people copped fines for speeding within 50 metres of swimmers, and one was caught too close to a structure in inland waters.
Police officers from Rosebud, Dromana, Rye, and Sorrento, have been conducting the targeted operation since the start of December. They used drones alongside patrols by local police, the Public Order Response Team, Water Police, Transit officers, and the Mounted Branch.
Victoria Police Water Police sergeant Kristie Clappison said “police spoke to unlicenced riders who were on jet skis unsupervised, as well as people assuming they could ride a jet ski given they had their boat licence. This is not the case, and anyone who wants to ride a jet ski needs the correct personal watercraft endorsement.”
“Another offence we saw far too often was vessels traveling above the five knot limit inside the 200 metre markers or close to other vessels and swimmers. This is incredibly reckless and a serious injury or fatality waiting to happen. A swimmer will always come off second best if they are struck,” she said.
Among the 94 fines handed out were a 23-year-old man from Jacana allegedly caught speeding on a jet ski too close to swimmers whilst unlicensed, who was fined $1679. A 16-year-old boy on a hired jet ski at Safety Beach was fined $1113 for exceeding five knots within 50 metres of a person and 200 metres of the shore.
Victoria Police Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Commander Superintendent Anne Rudd said “as Melbourne has sweated through a scorching start to 2026, we have seen an increase in jet ski riders and boat operators failing to have proper safety equipment this summer. This is incredibly alarming, because if something goes wrong and you don’t have the correct safety equipment, you are in serious trouble.”
“The ocean is incredibly unforgiving, and every precaution needs to be taken in order for you to get back to dry land safely. We want people to come and enjoy the beautiful beaches the Mornington Peninsula has to offer, but we need them to make better decisions to make sure everyone can have fun safely,” she said.
First published in the Frankston Times – 3 February 2016