A press release reported by OZPWC, stated that Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Duncan Gay, member for East Hills Glenn Brooks, and Police Marine Area Detective Superintendent Mark Hutchings released a statement to the media about harmful behavior by riders of jet skis.
The announcement declared that the NSW Government would take swift and bold actions to stop the dangerous and anti-social riding of jet skis in and around the Georges River, Botany Bay, and Port Hacking.
The efforts to stop the madness include high visibility of police presence, covert patrols, more restrictions on speed, and personal watercraft exclusion zones. Stringent laws will enable immediate license suspension for ski drivers riding in a reckless manner that may cause harm to others. The law will also make it easier to take the pilots’ watercraft on the spot and place it in impound.
Many of the new “anti” ski laws are the result of complaints among the local boating community. The proclamation by Minister Gay should make them happy:
“All jet-ski users flouting the law are on notice. We’re putting a stop to this behavior,” Minister Gay said.
Superintendent Hutchings believes the bad behavior will stop with more police presence be. It has worked in the past so it should be a success once again.
The collective force is going after specific rogue riders like the one who was already arrested for knocking a kayaker out of his boat. The boater suffered severe injuries and officers pressed charges against the driver of the ski.
There is also discussion about the possibility using drones and installing more cameras in the problem areas. The low speed zone has been extended by 2 kilometers. A dedicated hotline for complaints was also put into place. These officers and council members mean business!
Brooks said the implementing stricter enforcement was a huge win for the local community. People will feel safer using the waterways knowing that the riders of the rogue pwcs will no longer be able to frighten them without facing harsh repercussions.
