Following another serious incident on the water, the Australian Jet Ski Association is calling on the Victorian Government for an immediate review of the current Jet Ski Licensing program in effect. They are asking that the government urgently review the procedure to become licensed with the hopes that it will help prevent future accidents. With correct training and enforcement, collisions can be avoided and the waterways can be shared safely by everyone who chooses to enjoy them.
Some key representatives of the Victorian Jet Ski community have made recommendations to the Victorian Government for practical testing in the past, however nothing has changed since this last occurred around two years ago.
According to the Australian Jet Ski Association, Victoria has one of the easiest licensing procedures in Australia, with no practical test required what so ever. To become licensed to operate any power sports vessel without a practical form of testing is irrationally inadequate on today’s busy waterways; especially with the rapidly increasing numbers of jet skis out on the water. Serious injury or deadly collisions could potentially be avoided if new riders are given a better understanding of the potential risks and the basic do’s and don’ts by a practical qualified instructor.
What do you think? Should training courses and proper licensing be mandatory to operate a PWC around the world? Perhaps the question is; is it fair to the Victorian community and to the new young riders themselves to allow licensing without the practical observation by an experienced trainer to guide their skills and attitude?
Victorian laws are similar to other adjoining states. Victoria introduced PWC licence requirements two years ahead of recreational boating and saliers.
Everyone must conduct a recreational marine licence test (not practical) and PWC operators must do a compulsory additional test that focuses on understanding additional restrictions and requirements to watercraft operations, including safety, distance off, offense provisions.
Sure they do not have practical licenses, and the last time it was put forward by the former government it was the larger industry that objected to the introduction and the Government did not support the introduction.
A couple of associations that claim they represent the wider industry made claims of 300 people being injured on any weekend, that must injuries are not reported and emergency wards are being full of PWC injuries, fact is the Authorities showed this is not the case, if fact the opposite.
Victoria has introduced stronger PWC requirements, but its about the individuals taking responsibility for each other. Victoria introduced hoon laws, which has seen only a handful of cases.
No doubt the education is important, at least Victoria has not outsourced the licence testing to private operators like NSW, where we have bigger problems. Remember that QLD TMR introduced practical licence testing for recreational boaters and PWCs, but it was outsourced and now cowboy operators hand out these licences after some 20min driving a PWC in limited exposure to handling.
TSV is an active enforcer and Legislation and policy authority, working with all aspects of industry.
The AJSBA is an active representative with several governments, ensuring all PWC enthusiasts rights are represented, successfully proactive in new legislation and policy.
Peter Hunter
PWC Representative and Government Liaison
AJSBA
The industry does not support nor advocate for practicle licensing in Victoria, there is no solid incident or compliance data to support such a policy change. Following a number of Marine act and regulatory reviews, there is no appetite to place a more arduous licensing system in place.
For many years the industry have worked hard to keep barriers to entry away from boating in Vic.
It seems that self interests is fueling this debate at the AJSA and there calls for an immediate rieview does not serve the best interest of the boating community in Victoria…
Great promotion photo of the Australian Jet Sports Boating Association (AJSBA) and NSWPWC affiliate club round. Oh I see haven’t aged at all.
Sorry for a number of typos in the previous submission.