Sharp rise in jet ski pests (AUSTRALIA)

SBT · 05-03-2006, 01:06 PM

By BRUCE McDOUGALL
May 04, 2006
MORE than 100 jet ski riders have been banned from the waterways so far this year because of reckless and dangerous behaviour.
In just four months the Government has taken away the jet ski licences of 122 people – two more than the whole of 2005.
The Government yesterday said it was forced to crack down after gung-ho riders put lives in danger on the state's popular waterways.
Frustrated Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi said 55 boating officers had been ordered to target the jet ski rebels.
"Too many people seem to think our waterways are places to speed, behave recklessly and ignore the rights of others," he said.
"We simply won't put up with people who clearly couldn't care less about the rights of others to enjoy our waterways in safety and peace.
"This level of illegal, irresponsible and dangerous riding has never happened over such a short period of time on NSW waters."
Among the worst offenders this year:
A 28-YEAR-OLD man fined $2000 and banned from operating any vessel until 2010 after being caught twice in a month riding unlicensed in Botany Bay and the Georges River at Revesby;
A 21-YEAR-OLD man caught breaking the law in 2003, 2005 and 2006 was fined almost $1200 for a range of offences including doing fast turns too close to shore and causing annoyance, nuisance or danger at Little Beach, Port Stephens; and
AN unlicensed rider caught speeding, swerving and turning sharply on the Georges River in February was fined $800.
In the latter case the owner of the jet ski was also fined $400 after admitting she allowed the offender to ride without a licence.
But just an hour later the owner was caught doing fast turns herself – in an exclusion zone. She was fined another $160 and banned from owning a licence.
More than 410,000 people hold a general boat driver's licence in NSW, required before a personal watercraft licence can be issued.
The state now has more than 32,000 licensed personal watercraft riders and more than 7300 registered craft.
Mr Tripodi said it appeared a "run of good boating conditions experienced during the third-warmest summer in over 100 years" had made for an extremely busy boating season.
But he added: "People who use our waterways should show respect for others and remember their responsibilities, especially in relating to safety.
"The great majority of people using our waterways are law-abiding.
"I am sure they share my concern at the people who seem to think our waterways are places to speed, behave recklessly and ignore the rights of others."
http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/st...001022,00.html

Pete Jacobs · 05-03-2006, 02:23 PM

"But just an hour later the owner was caught doing fast turns herself – in an exclusion zone."

Is an exclusion zone like a no wake zone?

I love the idea of a liscence that can be revoked so we don't have to endure mass punishment everytme someone pisses off another boater or homeowner on the shore but I am afraid that everything I like to do would be against the law. You should be able to do anything you want as long as you maintain a safe distance from shore, swimmers and other watercraft. It sounds like anytime someone is doing 20 moh or better and turns sharper than 45 degrees they could be breakng the law in Australia.

Flyin Fil · 05-03-2006, 04:43 PM

It all boils down to "know your local regulations".

I was harrased last year by a boat owner for "being too close" to them. I had to hold my tongue...my only reply was "you need understand, not just read, the boating regulations"..."we are not moving".

We were both in a "no wake zone" waiting for our respective trailers...

05-03-2006, 06:09 PM

Many boat owners especially those owning large vessels seem to feel they have the right of way over all other craft. I have had them try to run me down while sailing or shout becasue they think I am in their way. I guess they didnt read the part that gives vessels under sail right of way over all powered craft.

Pete Jacobs · 05-03-2006, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hecklerkoch

Many boat owners especially those owning large vessels seem to feel they have the right of way over all other craft. I have had them try to run me down while sailing or shout becasue they think I am in their way. I guess they didnt read the part that gives vessels under sail right of way over all powered craft.

In my state vessels under sail has the right of way over powered craft. However it must give way to vessles anchored. Were you referring to piloting a sailboat or a powered vessel?

05-03-2006, 08:16 PM

I am talking about sailing sorry if I didnt make that clear. I have never had any trouble with jet skiers while sailing it is always the boaters trying to run me over.

bennu · 05-03-2006, 08:24 PM

Those kinds of regulations could get real espensive, real quick for a lot of people on here!

K6Jet · 05-03-2006, 09:00 PM

well, there are stupid people in every category. I was out fishing yesterday and trolling in a perfectly straight line, at about 3 mph. My boats length was perpendicular to the wind, meaning a sailboat can easily avoid me and not get caught in a no-go zone from me maintaining course. Well this sailboat some upwind of me, hence in sailing rules giving me right of way, and keeps nudging me down (hes turning right) just ever so slightly for about 3 minutes, forcing me to turn with him and cross my lines. I have no clue what was wrong with him, he forced me to go nearly downwind (making a 90 degree turn) and yet still had his sails trimmed for and upwind course.

Boating and driving any vehicle for that matter always has people who drive aggresively, or stupidly, the reason PWC's get a lot of crap though is because of their demographic.

bigwoody · 05-03-2006, 11:38 PM

Thats why I am glad I switched rivers I ride in. We used to ride on the potomac River just south of DC and it seemed that the Yacht owners and other big boat owners did not like us jumping thier wake. Even though we stay the proper distance off their Bow. In my river there is only one worry and thats the cigar boats. Those guys just get nuts.

dcmomentum · 05-04-2006, 01:09 PM

Good, they need to have that kind of strict enforcement here as well. That would get rid of a lot of the assclowns, and reduce the contempt that boaters/the public has for us.